Kibati: Vision 2030 key pillars on track

By MOSES NJAGIH

The Vision 2030 Secretariat maintains that Kenya is on the right track to achieve the set targets of the national development roadmap.

 Director General of the Vision 2030 Delivery Secretariat Mugo Kibati said on Monday the country had made gains in social indicators despite the challenges of tough economic environment that has been witnessed in the last three years. Mr Kibati cited flagship projects under health and education sectors as among those that have showed remarkable positive indications, saying many projects under the social pillar in the first phase of implementation were either complete or at advanced stages.

 Among the flagship projects are medical facilities, schools and water projects in various parts of the country. He said significant gains have also been achieved on the formulation of key policies to provide a strong foundation for the implementation of major reform programmes in the education, medical and political fronts.

 “Overall, there have been good achievements in the social pillar flagship projects. Despite Kenya’s economy being affected by multiple adverse domestic and external shocks, significant progress has been made in implementing the Medium Term Plan for 2008-2012,” said Kibati. He was speaking when he flagged off the Wakilisha Caravan, a national road show organised by the secretariat to sensitise the public on progress made in implementing the Vision 2030.

 Kibati said Cabinet has approved legislation geared to fast-track reforms in the education sector.

 He cited the Education Bill, Kenya National Examination Council Bill, Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development Bill, Technical and Vocational Education and Training Bill, Universities Bill, Kenya Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Bill and Kenya Qualification Framework Bill as some legislation that will fast-track reforms in the education sector. “The new laws, once enacted by Parliament, will help to align Kenya’s education system to the new Constitution and help spur education development,” said Kibati.

 On health, Kibati said 33 health facilities had been completed in the 2011/12 financial year, while 14 others are under rehabilitation.  The Director General said a Bill to facilitate provision of decent and affordable housing to all Kenyans has been drafted and forwarded to Parliament for approval. He said the Vision 2030 social pillar seeks to alleviate the plight of children and vulnerable groups in society.

“Over 170,000 poor vulnerable households are benefiting from the cash transfer programme while over 480,000 women have benefited from the Women Enterprise Fund since inception in 2007,” said Kibati.

 He said over 160,000 youth enterprises had so far benefited from Sh6.5 billion from the Youth Enterprise Fund.

 Kibati disclosed that a Social Protection Policy has been approved by Cabinet and a Bill is being drafted. This would pave way for the Government to put in place mechanisms to cushion poor and vulnerable groups from economic hardships.

The Government in 2008 launched the Vision 2030, which is being implemented in phases; the first of which is the Medium Term Plan 2008-12. However, since it was launched, Kenya’s economy has experienced severe shocks ranging from drought to high fuel prices. These have seen the cost of living rise thus affecting the social well-being of millions of Kenyans.

But the Government has been keen to cushion the vulnerable groups from the adverse impact of such shocks by accelerating interventions under the social pillar of the Vision 2030.