Government Spokesperson Hon. Sen. (Dr.) Isaac Mwaura.
The Government of Kenya has unveiled an ambitious plan to tackle pressing challenges and build a resilient future for its citizens. Speaking at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, Government Spokesperson Hon. Sen. (Dr.) Isaac Mwaura highlighted key reforms aimed at promoting transparency, ensuring justice and boosting economic growth.
With corruption identified as a critical national challenge, the government has proposed sweeping legislative changes to enhance accountability. Amendments to the Evidence Act and the Criminal Procedure Code will speed up investigations, with a target of six months for the resolution of bribery cases. To encourage public participation, new measures under the Witness Protection Act will ensure the safety of whistleblowers, allowing citizens to speak out without fear of reprisal. In addition, the digitisation of procurement processes will introduce unprecedented transparency and reduce opportunities for malpractice.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to justice following recent protests that led to injuries and loss of life. Investigations by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) are ongoing to hold the responsible parties accountable. Dr. Mwaura assured Kenyans that protecting human rights and ensuring justice remain priorities.
Healthcare reform remains a key focus. The government allocated Kshs. 938 million to faith-based hospitals to clear NHIF debt, with more payments expected. Over 14 million Kenyans have enrolled in the State Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), advancing progress towards universal healthcare. Citizens are urged to register with SHIF for better services.
Kenya’s economic outlook is positive, with inflation at a 17-year low of 2.7%, reducing the cost of living. Strategic agricultural investments have led to surpluses in maize and sugar. Additionally, the government’s efforts to lower prices of staples like milk, unga, and fuel benefit households. Dr. Mwaura emphasized that these achievements align with President William Ruto’s self-sustaining economy vision.
To create youth opportunities, the government has launched initiatives like the Affordable Housing Project, which created 160,000 jobs. The export of labor to Canada, Saudi Arabia, and the UK has grown, with over 105,000 Kenyans securing jobs abroad. Locally, digital hubs and programs like Jitume are equipping youth with skills and connecting them to online work.
Education continues to receive investment through the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). Over 16,000 classrooms have been built, and 56,950 teachers recruited to support the system’s rollout. Over Kshs 41 billion has been disbursed to universities since 2023, ensuring access to quality education.
Dr. Mwaura reaffirmed the government’s commitment to constitutional integrity and good governance. The rejection of the proposed tenure extension for elected leaders shows Kenya’s commitment to democracy and periodic elections. These reforms, he said, address citizens’ concerns and aim for a prosperous, inclusive nation.
[…] Read:https://kenyadailypulsenews.wordpress.com/2024/11/15/kenyas-bold-reforms-respond-to-citizens-needs/In addition, KELIN and FIDA-Kenya called for the immediate resolution of outstanding NHIF claims to enable a smooth transition for health facilities. They also raised concerns about the future of critical programmes such as Linda Mama, EduAfya and HIV treatment programmes, and urged the Ministry to clarify their status under the new system.The digitisation of health records, while promising, was identified as another potential barrier to access. According to the groups, the digital divide could exclude marginalised communities from the healthcare system unless inclusive policies are put in place. They also recommended that robust feedback mechanisms be put in place for patients who have incurred out-of-pocket costs since the transition began in October.Access to emergency care was another area of concern, with the organisations urging the Ministry to safeguard this constitutional guarantee by establishing clear protocols and timelines. They also called for the Social Health Insurance Dispute Resolution Tribunal to be operationalised to deal with complaints effectively.The transition to SHIF, they said, must be in line with the principles of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by reducing financial barriers, ensuring sufficient resources and protecting the rights of the most vulnerable.“The current challenges undermine the dignity and constitutional rights of Kenyans. We call on the Ministry of Health to take swift action to address these issues and reaffirm its commitment to equitable health care for all,” Minishi said. […]