Deputy President William Ruto. PHOTO |CHARLES KIMANI | DPPS
Last year I launched the curriculum for technical and vocational
training developed through government partnership with the Housing
Finance Foundation’s Army of One Million Artisans initiative.
Just
two weeks ago, I commissioned the M-Pesa Foundation’s construction of a
state-of-the-art, mixed boarding high school, which will provide first
class education to gifted but economically disadvantaged children. Such
is the power of corporate social investment to power our economy and
transform lives.
The year 2015 is an important one in
the global development calendar. It marks the transition from the
Millennium Development Goals to a new set of global targets, the
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Open Working
Group has identified SDGs’ 17 goals that reflect current trends and
developmental challenges, including the potential of technology and
innovation as a catalyst to inclusion.
By extension, Kenya’s role validates how our democracy could inform other global processes.
While
the SDGs have addressed new problems, the proverbial challenges of
poverty, environmental protection, disease, and illiteracy continue to
feature prominently in these conversations.
These challenges are not new, but they seem to be accentuated even as we record gains in our economic development.
The
Jubilee administration is not blind to the increasing inequalities in
our society, poverty, corruption, unemployment, increased insecurity and
terrorism threats, and exclusion of women and persons with
disabilities. A community does not develop until it is inclusive and
cohesive.
The challenges may seem daunting but there
are also new opportunities that can be leveraged. Kenya is a functioning
democracy with a growing middle class, a vibrant private sector, and a
young innovative community.
We recognise that our
ability to realise our Vision 2030 goals and determine our own
development path is intrinsically connected to our ability to generate
requisite and predictable financing.
The government,
in partnership with the Kenya Private Sector Alliance, has been
exploring the potential of channelling the power of corporate social
responsibility to address the gaps in our development financing. Indeed,
the SDGs recognise the role of private companies in development.
We
believe that the development challenge of the 21st century should be of
interest to companies. A populace that has increased literacy levels,
less disease burden, and is endowed with disposable income is good for
business. Investing in development makes good business sense.
As
we usher in the next development phase, it is imperative for these
forces to collaborate with government, offer potential synergy in
addressing our financial gaps, and increase our development potential.
Private sector engagement is not only limited to financing.
The
business processes and techniques within the private sector are a
capacity that the government can draw from to ensure efficiency in the
provision of services. We believe that we require local solutions to
local problems.
In this era of big data and
technological advancements, Kenya is poised for greater heights. The
post-2015 agenda recognises the need for data and statistics to
understand development challenges and design appropriate responses.
Agility
in allocation of resources and designing strategy in a fluid world
require real-time data and analysis. Such data may be useful for Kenyans
in the diaspora and potential investors to make an informed choice on
opportunities.
The data could also provide innovators
with the raw material to build applications or SMS-based information
services for farmers and investors. The development challenge is no
longer the preserve of the government.
The President
and I are committed to the creation of an inclusive data ecosystem
involving the government, the private sector, academia, civil society,
local communities, and development partners that tackles the information
aspects of development decision-making.
We recognise
that if Kenya is to move ahead, we must deliberately pursue
collaboration between the government, academia, and entrepreneurs. It is
no longer an issue of political will, but a matter of rational economic
and political choice.
The writer is the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya
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