The government is working with her development partners to mitigate the effects of drought and general economic downturn with a view to jumpstart priority programmes to reverse the trend and improve growth.
Minister for Interior and Coordination Cabinet Secretary (CS) who Chaired the National Development Implementation Coordination and Communication Committee (NDICC) said the team had proposed radical strategies to address the challenges
Speaking during a press briefing at a Nairobi hotel, Dr Matiang’i was optimistic that the economy was expected to stabilize at six percent in 2022 boosted by a strong performance at 11.9 percent and 9.9 percent in the second and third quarters respectively of the 2021 Financial Year and remittances from the Diaspora.
“The government will continue to roll out labour intensive projects such as Kazi Mtaani, construction of CBC classrooms, and other infrastructural developments around the Big 4 Agenda to provide the youth with job opportunities and create income for families,” he added.
He mentioned that an additional 50 new level 3 and 4 hospitals would be constructed across the country to ease pressure on the Kenyatta National Hospital and other health referral institutions.
To deal with the drought and food security situation in the country, the CS said that a hybrid programme of cash transfers and food distribution has been adopted to expedite access to relief for targeted recipients.
Dr Matiang’i noted that a Marshall Plan anchored on investment in refugee villages, repatriations, and naturalization of the East African Community was required to transition 456,272 refugees living in Kakuma, Daadab, and those living in Kenya’s urban centers.
“This will provide infrastructure in education, health, water, energy, security, and environmental conservation in designated centers,” he explained.
The CS further added that it would encourage refugees to apply for a Kenyan citizenship as well as facilitate them to return to their countries of origin.
To beef up security during the general election, Matiang’i stated that continuous mapping was being undertaken on election-related security challenges such as hate crime, terrorism, and cyber and computer misuse.
He mentioned that the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has intensified activities across the country to promote peaceful electioneering and to foster intercommunity co-existence.
“The NCIC has enhanced monitoring and crackdown on hate crime related to campaigns,” he said.
World Bank Country Director to Kenya Keith Hansen, congratulated Kenya on the progress it has made to restore the economy of Kenya during the pandemic.
He assured all partners that the World Bank’s support to Kenya would be well aligned so as to fulfill the government’s priorities.
In her remarks, French Ambassador to Kenya Aline Kuster Menager, noted that the world is facing many challenges such as drought and added that there was need for all partners to assist one another.
“We need to better our relationship with Kenya, understand their needs and continue to be a key partner for the country’s development,” she said.
By Mary Ndegwa and Manu Mumba
