This archive report was first published on 23 May 2020.
On Saturday, President Uhuru Kenyatta addressed the nation from State House, Nairobi, unveiling an 8-point economic stimulus program worth Sh53.7 billion to stimulate growth and support families during the Covid-19 crisis.
Published on May 23, 2020, the program aims to put the country on a new road and find a way forward, as the president acknowledged.
"I am comforted by the fact that Kenyans are a people who know how to give a good fight. If we stay the course we shall overcome," said President Kenyatta.
The stimulus package focuses on key areas, including infrastructure, education, and support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Under the infrastructure element, Sh5 billion has been allocated to hire local labor for infrastructure development.
Education is also a priority, with Sh6.5 billion set aside to hire 10,000 teachers and 1,000 ICT interns to support digital learning.
The SMEs element targets those whose liquidity has been adversely affected, with Sh10 billion allocated for fast-tracking payment of outstanding VAT refunds and other pending payments.
Additionally, Sh5 billion has been set aside to hire local labor for the rehabilitation of access roads and footbridges.
The government also plans to hire 5,000 healthcare workers with diploma or certificate qualifications for a period of one year and set aside Sh1.7 billion for the expansion of bed capacity in public hospitals.
Furthermore, Sh3 billion has been allocated for the supply of farm inputs through e-vouchers, targeting 200,000 small-scale farmers.
Other key initiatives include supporting flower and horticultural producers to access international markets, engaging community scouts under the Kenya Wildlife Service, and supporting the operations of Utalii College.
