Kenyans used the general election as a formal group decision-making process to choose leaders to represent them. The entire electoral process was conducted in an independent, transparent and democratic manner.
Free, fair and verifiable electoral processes play a crucial role in political transition by championing democratisation and encourage socio-political liberation that guarantees stability and prosperity. Leaders should discharge duties bestowed upon them, and deliver on promises made. But before we embark on the 2022-2027 economic transformation agenda, we have to go through a healing process.
We should commence the process of creating a proactive vision of economic change where economic recovery strategy should be steered by experts and policy developers. The strategic economic recovery plan should cover all sectors, including agriculture, industrialisation, attraction of foreign and local investors, technology, revival of collapsed government enterprises, growing and expanding transport networks, tax cuts and rebates, developing new economic policies and redesigning old ones.
Tea, coffee, sugar, pyrethrum, cashew nut, cotton, maize and dairy farming should be revolutionised through new technology. This will lead to increased tax collection, creation of more jobs and, more importantly, acceleration of the country's GDP which stands at 12.259 per cent.
Much emphasis, however, should be given to education since it is the backbone of socio-economic development of the country. Education is a legal right of every child, and it helps eradicate poverty and hunger and gives people the chance to better their lives.
To this end, the incoming government will be obligated to establish a national education fund aimed at mobilising grants, bursaries and scholarships from private and public sponsors to cater for non-tuition costs - it should be borne in mind that presently, parents meet the cost of transport, meals, uniform and boarding fees under the Free Primary Education and Subsidised Day Secondary Education.
Focus on access, relevant and affordable education and training should be of prime concern. Teacher deficit, that currently at 116,000, should be bridged if children are to be offered equitable quality education. Kenya has over 300,000 trained but unemployed teachers.
The new government should work in tandem with University Act (2012) where varsities should be established in every county - universities should focus on their comparative advantage in their training. For instance, universities in Coast region should have training programmes that focus on the blue economy, while varsities in Rift Valley, Western and Mount Kenya regions should focus on agriculture.
Mr Sossion is an expert in education, leadership and policy
