The State Department for Planning, held its county consultations forum in Kitui County, to engage stakeholders and the local public to discuss and propose county development priorities, that will form basis for the fourth Medium Term Plans (MTP) policies, programmes and projects.
Medium Term Plans (MTP) are phases in which the implementation of the Kenya Vision 2030, is spearheaded with close monitoring and evaluation of each MTP in order to remain on lane.
The Fourth MTP, which is the second last running through 2023 to 2027 thematically focuses on accelerating socio-economic transformation to a more competitive, inclusive and resilient economy.
The plan is determined to raise living standards by lowering poverty levels and creating more investments by offering a conducive environment for investors.
It precedes the current Third MTP running from 2018 to 2022, which saw a lot of social, political and technological advancement in various parts of the country bringing vision 2030 closer.
In a speech read on his behalf by the Public Works Principal Secretary (PS), Solomon Kitungu, National Treasury and Planning Cabinet Secretary (CS), Ukur Yatani, said the Third MTP had a lot to brag for, with the tremendous achievements and completion of major projects, despite the outbreak of Covid-19, which posed a major setback economically.
“Execution of the plan was going on well until Covid-19 struck, adversely affecting the plan economically.
With the worldwide suspension of flights in and out of the country, new investors retreated, while thriving businesses suffered major blows, some collapsing,” Yatani lamented.
The Director of Planning at the National Treasury, Aloyce Ratemo, while speaking during the Forum held in Kitui town, noted that some of completed projects countrywide during the current Third MTP, citing 21.5 percent rise in electricity connectivity, with the current 8,216,253 customers connected in the third MTP countrywide from 6,763,921 electricity connectivity in the previous MTP.
Ratemo also noted that some 5107 kilometres of road were tarmacked, while 101,826 kilometers were maintained nationally during the current third MTP.
He also observed that 1,757,623 title deeds were registered and issued, with 81 land registries being constructed and 75 refurbished to ease land disputes through proper documentation.
“The government has also strengthened Huduma Centers across the country in an attempt to offer government services to citizens under one roof. With proper utilization, the Fourth MTP will easily maneuver its way out towards the realization of vision 2030,” he added.
According to Ratemo, the government will ensure more construction of Technical, Vocational and Educational Training (TVET) centres, to ensure gross enrollment and absorption of more youths, as dictated by its social pillar.
He revealed the government plans to promote existing investors by cushioning them from setbacks they faced like the pandemic, as well as luring more new investors into the country.
“The government through its Fourth MTP will also oversee a conducive environment for both local and foreign investors,” Ratemo clarified.
By Francis Mwendwa and Denson Mututo
