This archive report was first published on 10 July 2020.
Uhuru's Big 4 Agenda in Jeopardy as Covid-19 Devastates Economy ¶
President Uhuru Kenyatta's Big 4 Agenda, aimed at providing affordable universal health coverage, housing, manufacturing, and food security, is in jeopardy due to the devastating impact of Covid-19 on the economy.
With less than two years to the end of his second and final term, President Kenyatta's government has failed to deliver on several key promises, including the construction of nine stadiums and the provision of 500,000 affordable houses.
According to development economist Geoffrey Omwela, the Covid-19 pandemic has crippled almost all sectors of the economy, making it unlikely that the Big 4 Agenda will be realized by 2022.
"Given Kenyans' preposition to start campaigns one year or more to an election coupled with the BBI and anticipated referendum campaigns, it is unlikely that the environment will be conducive for the realisation of the Big 4 Agenda," Omwela said.
Despite President Kenyatta's optimism that the Big 4 Agenda will come to fruition, it remains unclear how he intends to achieve his objectives with the National Treasury having almost no financial legroom to wriggle itself.
As the country continues to grapple with the pandemic, it is clear that the burden of ensuring the safety of Kenyans rests with President Kenyatta, but so does the duty of prosperity despite uncertainties in the unforeseeable future.
