This archive report was first published on 16 July 2020.
Kenya is on the cusp of a new era of development, marked by a renewed focus on transformation, growth, and prosperity. At the heart of this transformation is President Uhuru Kenyatta's vision for the country's future, which has led to a series of initiatives aimed at improving the lives of Kenyans.
One of the key drivers of this transformation is the government's efforts to restrategize and rejuvenate its operations. This has involved the creation of a team that is well-aligned to pro-development, with a key focus on the interests of Kenya and Kenyans. The team has been tasked with uplifting the country's economic and social status, and has made significant progress in achieving this goal.
One notable example of this progress is the construction of the Sh18.4 billion Kibwezi-Kitui Road, which was launched by President Uhuru Kenyatta and is set to spur socio-economic development along the trunk international highway. The Nairobi Metropolitan Service (NMS), an initiative of President Uhuru Kenyatta, has also made significant strides in its first 100 days, bringing a major facelift to the Central Business District and informal sectors in Nairobi.
The NMS is also embarking on a project to construct a Sh28 billion Nairobi Railway City, which is already taking shape. Additionally, informal settlements in Nairobi will benefit from 24 health facilities that are set to be constructed, with five being rehabilitated. The city is gradually attaining a refreshed outlook as the government through NMS.
Another initiative launched by President Uhuru Kenyatta is the Kazi Mtaani programme, which aims to cushion the youth against the ravaging effects of the Covid-19 pandemic while engaging them to promote a clean environment. With 273,000 youth dedicated for the second phase, the programme has been lauded by youth who benefitted from the pilot programme and encouraging others to join in.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has also encouraged the country to have a refocus on building and manufacturing its own products through the Buy Kenya, Build Kenya initiative. He has encouraged Kenyans to embrace local production, which will enhance the country's manufacturing potential, including a relook on the policies that enhance and cushion local businesses and entrepreneurs.
Just recently, the President ordered the procurement of 500 Jua Kali made beds for public hospitals, which have proven to be efficient especially during this time of the pandemic. Other items produced locally include ventilators, non-touch handwashing units, and Personal Protective Equipment, which are now being manufactured and supplied by the country at KICOTEC in Kitui and Rivatex in Eldoret.
Kenya is also making progress in homeownership, with the government delivering a number of units under the Big Four Agenda's Affordable Housing pillar. The Affordable Housing Project, launched in 2017, is well on course in implementing its promise of delivering 500,000 homes.
These projects and many more have taken root in the country, with Cabinet Secretaries charged to consistently inspect and ensure projects in different parts of the country are progressing towards the right direction. The recent relaunch of the Thika-Nanyuki highway is another illustration of how the country is opening up in terms of growth, trade, and development.
