The government in partnership with New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) has commenced a Targeted Review of the Big Four Agenda projects to assess the progress and provide accurate and authentic analysis needed to address challenges in the implementation.
NEPAD under the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) will undertake the Review to identify key issues in the four broad sectors of Affordable Housing, Expansion of Manufacturing, Food Security and Nutrition and Affordable Healthcare to ensure the country fulfils its economic and social development agenda.
The Review which will be carried out in all the 47 counties between November 29 to December 19, will culminate to a comprehensive report set for peer review at African Head of states forum in February next year.
Speaking during the launch in Naivasha, National Treasury and Planning Chief Administrative Secretary, Eric Wafukho, said the independent reviews to be carried out by a team drawn from the African Union member states will assess government programmes and provide accurate analysis needed to address governance and development challenges in projects implementation.
Wafukho further said the Reviews will address key salient governance issues including fight against corruption, youth unemployment, and gender inequality and diversity management.
The CAS said under the period of review, Kenyans will have the opportunity to express their views and opinions to the secretariat in regards to the implementation of the Big Four Agenda.
He added that the agendas seek to provide dignified jobs, affordable healthcare, improve cost of living and reduce poverty levels.
Wafukho voiced the importance of the Review as an ingredient to the pursuit of Vision 2030 which he said will provide the necessary recommendations in the implementation of the country’s medium-term plans for 2023 – 2027.
The Targeted Review, according to the CAS, is expected to deepen democracy and enhance transparency and accountability in governance in counties and successively enable the country to avert violent conflicts, corruption and waste of public resources.
The APR lead panel, Amb Dr Inonge Lewanika, said the Targeted Review process will help to interrogate government programmes and efforts to offer better services to the populace and evaluate the strengths, challenges and opportunities that lay in the four broad sectors.
Dr Inonge commended the government for being among the first countries to customise the APRM mechanism internally with the aim of fostering democracy, strengthening the efficient delivery of services in both the National and County governments.
NEPAD CEO, Amb Dr Samori Okwiya, said the Kenyan Ggovernment has engaged various stakeholders including state departments and agencies, counties, civil society and other non-state actors to ensure a smooth review exercise.
By Erastus Gichohi and Esther Mwangi
