President Dr. William Ruto’s visit to the United States of America is good value for taxpayers’ money, Government Spokesman Dr. Isaac Mwaura has assured Kenyans.
Dr. Mwaura said the President’s trip to the US will enormously benefit the country in terms of investments and finances among others.
He insisted that the media can only make objective conclusions by weighing on the gains made against what has been spent by the head of state.
“The President has to undertake what is necessary travel and he is doing that. The cost of the trip is really nothing compared to the benefits it will bring to the country,” he said during a media briefing in Nakuru.
The government spokesperson said the only way to negotiate with development partners was to visit them and not wait for them to come to Kenya.
“In the last two years our foreign policy has been guided by the need to empower the Kenyan people,” he said.
Dr. Mwaura said from the US meeting, Kenya will benefit from a Sh22.8 billion investment plan with Coca-Cola for the expansion of its operations in Kenya, over the next five years, which he said will create over 3000 jobs for Kenyans and contribute to the local economy.
He noted that following Dr. Ruto’s state visit to the US, Microsoft Corporation and G42 have announced a Sh132.7 billion ($1 billion) digital investments in Kenya.
The comprehensive digital investment package according to the Spokesman will include local-language Artificial Intelligence (AI) model development and research, an East Africa Innovation Lab coupled with broad AI digital skills training, international and local connectivity investments; and collaboration with the government of Kenya to support safe and secure cloud services across East Africa.
Dr. Mwaura further indicated five Kenyan universities will sign a student exchange program with American universities, to contribute to the academic experiences of both the Kenyan and American Students.
“The development of Swahili/English AI models and launch of AI societal services, will support national economic growth and development and add to Kenya’s unique cultural and linguistic needs. Consequently,” he pointed out.
Dr. Mwaura indicated that the collaboration between Microsoft and G42 will provide support to local universities, through the Microsoft Africa Research Institute, the Microsoft AI for Good Lab, the Mohammed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence in Abu Dhabi, and select universities from Kenya and East Africa.
He added that Microsoft’s AI for Good Lab in Nairobi will utilize its AI technology to partner with varied nonprofit organizations in addressing economic and societal issues across the East Africa region.
Through travelling to other countries, Dr. Mwaura observed that the president is able to secure employment opportunities for young Kenyans who are grappling with unemployment.
On improving infrastructure within schools in Nakuru County, the spokesman disclosed that the government has allocated Sh26 million towards the completion of dormitories and the construction of a multipurpose hall in Naivasha boys boarding primary school, noting that project was 40 percent complete.
Dr. Mwaura also indicated that constructions are also ongoing in Milimani Primary School, Nakuru Town, where the government is constructing boarding facilities, a kitchen, dining hall, a multi-purpose hall and ablution blocks at a total cost of Sh116 million. The project is 80 percent complete.
During a week- long tour of duty in Nakuru County the Spokesman has led a delegation of government officials to inspect national projects and programmes that are ongoing across the county.
The team has also visited the Itare Dam project and the Affordable Housing site in Bahati Constituency.
The team also interacted with pyrethrum farmers in Njoro, visited the Pyrethrum Processing Company of Kenya (PPCK) and held a public baraza to listen to concerns and messages from the residents of Nakuru County and its environs.
On Finance Bill 2024, Dr. Mwaura urged Kenyans to engage in public participation and through their representatives, share feedback with the government to ensure that their voice is heard and that their concerns regarding the proposals are taken into consideration, before the Bill becomes a law.
The finance bill 2024, he said is aimed at amending the laws relating to various taxes and duties to stimulate growth and investment in the country.
Dr. Mwaura explained that the proposals, which are now open for public participation include the increase of allowable pension deduction from Sh20,000 to Sh30,000 per month, amendment of the Income Tax Act to provide for Advance Pricing Agreements (APAs), which he said will bring greater certainty with respect to tax outcome of international transactions.
The bill also proposes revision of the window for remitting excise duty collections from the current 24 hours to five working days for Alcoholic beverage manufacturers and the introduction of withholding tax on goods supplied to public entities at 3 percent for resident persons and 5 percent for non-residents.
During the National Tree Growing Day that was gazetted on May 10,2024, in solidarity with persons adversely affected by the cyclic floods and in recognition of current effects of climate change, Dr. Mwaura disclosed that more than 14 million trees were planted across the country.
The highest numbers of trees were planted in Machakos County at 6,075,129 trees and Nairobi Counties at 5,131,992 trees.
He added that on May 24, the Chief of Staff and Head of the Public Service, Mr Felix Koskei will officiate a tree planting exercise in Nairobi County.
On revival of the pyrethrum sector, Dr. Mwaura indicated that the government is undertaking major reforms to liberalize it with a task force being set up in April 2020, which recommended amongst other interventions, the financing of the sector to a tune of with Kshs 950 million.
He assured growers of the cash crop that plans are also underway to establish 84,000 acres of pyrethrum by 2027/28 and to stabilize future production to ensure sustainable supply of pyrethrum products in the world market.
Kenya has been growing pyrethrum since 1928 and has been the major supplier of pyrethrum, accounting for at least 70 percent of the world market in 1980s and 1990s. This however dropped to below 5 percent and Kenya lost the world leadership in the supply of pyrethrum and pyrethrum products from 2006.
Dr. Mwaura affirmed that the ongoing government interventions in the sector have witnessed steady increase in flower production to the current 310 MT 2022/23.
“Additional reforms will create more jobs, attract foreign investments, improve the livelihoods of Kenyans engaged in the pyrethrum value chain and ensure that Kenya regains its position as the world’s leading pyrethrum producer,” he added.
Dr. Mwaura observed that the government was spearheading No Electric Powered High Mast Flood Lighting Structure in Bahati Sub County at a cost of Sh4.9 million and two NO Electric powered high mast floodlighting in Naivasha and Nakuru Town Sub counties at a cost of Sh4 million and Sh9.5 million respectively
He added that the construction of Kiamaina market sheds in Bahati Sub County, is ongoing at a cost of Sh16 Million and that the project, which is at 30% completion, will provide a clean and safe environment for traders in Nakuru County.
“This is in addition to ongoing construction of the Nakuru Multipurpose Market in Bondeni, Nakuru County. The project is at 89 percent completion and will cost Sh612 million. The government is also keen to finalize the construction of the Nakuru City Bus Park, Nakuru County. The project is currently 48 percent complete with Sh119 million already disbursed,” stated the spokesman.
The national government, he added is constructing affordable housing units at Elburgon. The project, which he said is 35 percent complete, will cost Sh499 million and will include nine blocks of 220 affordable houses comprising 20 one bedroom units, 120 two bedroom units, sixty 60 studios and 20 three bedroom units.
He disclosed that the Bahati Constituency affordable housing project is set to end in September and is at 42 percent completion. It will provide 220 housing units at a cost of Sh504 million.
“The affordable housing projects have provided job opportunities to many youths including, 53 members of the Elburgon Jua Kali Association and 58 members of the Great Rift Bahati Welders Association,” he added.
Dr. Mwaura further pointed out that Sh1.855 billion has been set aside for the construction of the Njoro – Beeston – Nesuit/Beeston Lawina –Elburgon/Mauche – Sururu Roads (RWC 641) (40km) is 10% complete.
Once completed, he said, the road will ease transport and reduce business costs for the traders in the region.
By Anne Mwale
