From left: Mr James Macharia (Transport), Ms Sicily Kariuki (Health), Mr
Mwangi Kiunjuri (Agriculture) and Ms Farida Karoney (Land). These are
some of the Cabinet secretaries expected to help President Uhuru
Kenyatta shape his legacy. FILE PHOTOS | NATION MEDIA GROUP
When President Uhuru Kenyatta addressed the nation on Jamhuri
Day in 2017, he outlined four key areas that he hoped would shape his
legacy.
They include food security, affordable housing, manufacturing and universal healthcare.
“During
the next five years, I will dedicate the energy, time and resources of
my administration to the big four,” said the President last year.
According
to a draft budget policy statement released last weekend, the
government seeks to raise the share of manufacturing sector from nine to
15 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP) by 2022, expand food
production and supply, provide universal health coverage for all Kenyan
homes and build 500,000 affordable houses.
FULL CABINET
The
naming of the full cabinet on Friday finally placed the names of men
and women who are expected to help him achieve the agenda.
Affordable Housing pillar is hinged on Mr
James Macharia, who will continue serving as Transport and
Infrastructure Development secretary assisted by former senator Chris
Obure as Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS). The others are the
Principal Secretary (PS) Transport, Paul Maringa, the PS Infrastructure,
Julius Korir and the PS shipping and Maritime who remains Nancy
Karigithu.
Mr Macharia said he will continue with the far-reaching projects under his docket.
SGR PHASE TWO
“The
focus will be twofold: completing the ongoing flagship projects
including SGR Phase 2A and 2B, Phase 2 of second container terminal
Mombasa , actualise USA direct flights, upgrade of JKIA to a truly world
class airport, achieve key milestones on LAPSSET corridor, complete the
10,000 km roads project (7,000 already either completed or in
progress). We also intend to materially enhance road safety through
far-reaching policy measures with the support of law enforcement
agencies including traffic police. On the other hand we will get under
way with the 500,000 housing project as a primary mandate and enabler
through infrastructural support,” he said.
Universal healthcare will depend upon Sicily Kariuki, as CS for health. The CAS will be Rashid Aman and Mr Peter Tum as PS.
Ms Kariuki said she intends to settle down in the docket earliest time possible.
TRANSFORMATIONAL
“The
approach I intend to take is transformational. It cannot be business as
usual and we intend to deepen the partnership with all stakeholders. I
will listen to all sides but the underlying issue is that the
president’s vision must be achieved. I have studied the Budget Policy
Statement and its clear what the President wants to achieve. I am
already preparing psychologically on the task ahead,” she said.
By
the end of 2018, the government hopes it will have increased the number
of people with health coverage from 16.53 million to 25.74 million, a
figure that will hit 51.57 million — Kenya’s projected population by
2022.
The food security pillar will
be overseen by Mr Mwangi Kiunjuri as cabinet secretary for Agriculture.
The ministry also has, PS Livestock Andrew Tuimor, the PS Crop
Development Richard Lesiyampe and Ps Agriculture Research Hamadi Boga.
The
food security pillar will also be reliant on CS for Water and
Sanitation Simon Chelugui (if nomination passes) alongside Chief
Administrative Secretary Winnie Guchu. Mr Chelugui said if confirmed by
Parliament the task ahead is not lost on him.
CLEAN WATER
“Clean
water and sanitation is part of sustainable development goals (SDGs)
that United Nations has identified. Most parts of the country have water
scarcity issues. Provision of clean water will therefore be a priority.
Without Water the four pillars won’t be realised and I intend to reach
out to all stake holders and see that the President’s vision is
achieved,” he said.
There is also Ministry of Land with proposed Cabinet Secretary Farida Karoney, CAS Gideon Mung’aro and the PS Nicholas Muraguri.
In
manufacturing, Mr Adan Mohamed will continue as CS for
Industrialisation and Enterprise Development with PS for
Industrialisation Betty Maina.
In the
leather industry, President Kenyatta targets the production of 20
million shoes by 2022, while increasing export revenue in the industry
to Sh50 billion in the next five years. Kenya buys 30 million pairs of
shoes a year, yet it has the third-largest cattle herd in Africa.
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