President Uhuru Kenyatta during a live online Facebook conversation, July 23, 2017. [Photo: PSCU]
President Uhuru Kenyatta has launched his Action Plan to create 6.5 million extra quality jobs, targeting the youth, over the next five years.
In a candid live online conversation where he also fielded questions from Kenyans, Kenyatta said he has put in place an Action Plan for more jobs and lower prices that will transform the progress from the last four years into real benefits felt for all Kenyans.
“My Action Plan will transform the progress we have made over the last four years, into real benefits for all Kenyans. Over the next five years, my government will create 6.5 million extra quality jobs, especially for the youth,” Kenyatta said.
The live online Facebook conversation – the first of its kind, Uhuru accorded Kenyans the opportunity to hear the president talk directly about his Action Plan that would ensure every single person in the country shares in prosperity.
“I want to have a candid conversation with all Kenyans – a conversation about the progress we’ve made and the policies for the future – not politics and power-games,” he said.
Uhuru pointed out that over the last four years, his administration had built the foundations for prosperity and created over 2.5 million new jobs by investing in infrastructure, roads, rail and electricity to support job-creating businesses and help farmers deliver their produce to market.
“We’ve ensured more Kenyans have access to quality education and healthcare. And we’ve taken the fight to Al-Shabaab to make this country safer for every Kenyan family,” he said, Sunday.
Noting that many Kenyans were still struggling, Kenyatta said he will deliver his transformational plan because he has already built the foundations for prosperity and only needs the next five years to finish the job.
“Many of our youth who study and work hard can't find jobs, high food prices still leave many families hungry, and our manufacturing sector has not yet delivered enough new jobs and higher wages.''
He assured that in the next five years his administration would continue to invest in infrastructure, education and training, small enterprises and a 21st century high-tech economy that will drive prosperity and job creation for all.
The president reiterated his directive to foreign contractors that they must employ locals in their projects.
Uhuru said by investing in farming and markets, transport and trade, his administration has been able to build the foundations for food security, protection against drought and better transport links for food delivery.
“With my Action Plan, I will take immediate action to ensure that this progress means a lower cost of living for you and your family," he assured Kenyans.