This archive report was first published on 22 April 2020.
On Wednesday, President Uhuru Kenyatta addressed concerns that the coronavirus outbreak in Kenya would hinder his plans to achieve the Big Four agenda. Speaking at the State House, he reassured Kenyans that he remains committed to the course of seeing the projects accomplished as long as he remains in office.
"The big four agenda will continue being my stand and direction as the President of Kenya during the time that I still have," said Kenyatta.
Despite the disruptions caused by the coronavirus, Kenyatta expressed optimism that the country can find a way to control the disease while still proceeding with its targets. He emphasized that the government will not be deterred from fulfilling its legacy.
When Kenyatta was sworn in for his second and last term in 2017, he unveiled his Big Four plan, which includes affordable housing, food security, universal healthcare, and manufacturing to spur economic growth. The government aimed to create 1.3 million jobs under the manufacturing sector by 2022 and achieve a 100 percent health coverage for every Kenyan.
However, the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) has raised concerns that the President's plan may be too ambitious, citing a decline in national revenues. In March, the PBO warned that the President will find it extremely difficult to achieve his Big Four agenda if revenues continue to decline.
Despite these challenges, the National Treasury allocated Sh450.9 billion towards the Big Four Agenda and its enablers for the 2019/2020 financial year. Under the 2020/2021 financial budget, the Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury and Planning, Ukur Yatani, prioritized allocation to the big four agenda.
