This archive report was first published on 13 July 2019.
As President Uhuru Kenyatta's term comes to an end in 2022, his government's ability to deliver on its four-pillar legacy agenda will be a defining factor in his presidency. While achieving 500,000 units of affordable housing and creating one million jobs are laudable goals, they are mere statistics if not accompanied by a lasting impact on the country's economy and society.
True legacy is not about ticking boxes, but about laying the foundation for a take-off that guarantees affordable housing, universal healthcare, food surplus, and resilient manufacturing and production. This requires innovative, determined, and ruthless leadership that sets the stage for long-term success.
One such foundation is the use of Kenyan content in projects, particularly in the Affordable Housing Programme. Last week, Interior Ministry PS Karanja Kibicho announced that the government had ring-fenced 78 items to be sourced solely from Kenya's Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The specifications and quality standards have been defined in a manual by the National Construction Authority, covering all stages of construction.
However, this is not the first time the government has demanded local content in projects, and it has yet to be implemented effectively. If done correctly, the housing pillar alone could have a profound impact on the economy, catalyzing the growth of MSMEs and improving the skills of artisans.
Post-secondary training institutions will also benefit, but they need to be ready to meet the demands. The project implementation plan must be driven with the same urgency and focus as the SGR project, with President Kenyatta taking a hands-on approach to ensure its success.
The housing project is a complex undertaking that requires mobilization of large sums of money, guarantees of returns to private investors, and an elaborate management of the many moving parts. It also has the potential to fail spectacularly if captured by personal or corrupt interests.
As President Kenyatta battles corruption, he must take a greater interest in the housing project, as it has the highest likelihood of giving him a foundation to build a lasting legacy. Legacies are appreciated over generations, not within presidential term limits.
— Tom Mshindi is the former editor-in-chief of the Nation Media Group and is now consulting., @tmshindi
