The government will connect 2.3 million Kenyans to the national electricity grid, build at least 4,600km of transmission lines as well as a million affordable houses in the next four years.
These are some of the projects that will be implemented under the Fourth Medium-Term Plan (MTP IV) unveiled last week in Nairobi by President William Ruto.
The plan seeks to accelerate the country’s economic progress towards becoming a middle-income industrialised nation as envisioned under Vision 2030. President Ruto said MTP IV focuses on the country’s economic growth especially at the grassroots, where the government is implementing its Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
“In the next four years we will spearhead radical economic turnaround, fostering inclusive growth and enhancing the livelihoods and welfare of citizens, particularly those at the bottom level,” President Ruto said.
Under the MTP IV, President Ruto said the government would create over 1.2 million jobs every year to boost livelihoods as well as catalyse economic growth.
His said his government will further build over 6,000 kilometres of new roads and 277 footbridges to enhance mobility across the country.
As the weather continues to be erratic due to climate change effects, President Ruto said the government would prioritise investments in the sector to build resilience and stem off threats. This will be achieved through construction of water pans in arid and arid areas and rehabilitation of dams to support irrigation farming that is key in boosting the country’s food security.
The country would also invest more in renewable energy projects for production of clean energy and reduce greenhouse gas emission. The construction of 100,000km fibre optic cable to boost internet access and grow the digital economy is on course, said President Ruto adding that the target would be achieved in the two years.
In the four years, the government will enhance financing of women and the youth.
The financing of the Women Enterprise Fund will progressively be increased from the current Sh4.5 billion to Sh13.5 billion in the next three years.
Similarly, the Hustler Fund, which has disbursed close to Sh40 billion in micro-loans will also see its allocation increased.
In the health sector, the country will expand social health insurance, targeting to reach over 10.8 million households and digitise health services during the four-year period.
“Over 20,000 health workers will be recruited to support the health commodities supply chain,” said President Ruto.
To boost education, the President said the government will recruit and train over 100,000 teachers and automate the basic education system, expand Technical and Vocational Education and Training and scale up admissions to the National Open University.
Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi said the implementation of the plan would be closely monitored and evaluated by higher authorities to ensure its success.
“There will be no room to go outside the framework of the MTP IV. Its monitoring will be from the highest level. This, therefore, calls for total commitment in its implementation,” said Mudavadi.