Vision 2030 Delivery Board on Friday announced key projects under the national dream are on course as it launches a nationwide progress awareness campaign dubbed, Tunatimiza.
Ongoing police reforms, construction of standard gauge railway, oil pipeline, and devolution, the Galana Kulalu irrigation scheme, power generation and electricity connection to homes are some of the key projects that have accelerated the pace of achieving the vision.
Transformative programmes like the Digital Literacy Programme, which targets to deliver tablets to 1.2 million school children through an ongoing nationwide rollout and increased capacity in healthcare workforce to undertake complex surgeries cannot be underestimated.
“The ground-breaking surgery to separate Babies Favour and Precious by our highly skilled specialists done at a cost of Sh160 million has made it possible for the twins to see each other for the first time. It’s a major stride in the healthcare sector and such successes are reported across every aspect of the Vision 2030 pillars,” said Vision 2030 Board Chairman, Dr James Mwangi.
Much work on the projects has had a faster development pace over the last three years.
The current government has placed a high priority in developing better road networks, connecting more Kenyans to the national electricity grid and developing a mega irrigation scheme to achieve a sustainable food security.
“We are comfortable with the progress of mega flagship projects, with high prospects they would be complete within set timelines, some even earlier. It shows our commitment to deliver the dream to Kenyans,” said Dr Mwangi.
Phase 1 construction of SGR is more than 75 percent complete with government opening talks with investors to put up industrial parks in Mombasa, Voi, Mtito Andei, Nairobi and Naivasha to create more job opportunities. The first train ride from Mombasa to Nairobi will take place in June 2017 bringing with it numerous benefits.
To date, 4,000 kilometres of low volume seal roads have been achieved under rural roads development, translating to 92 percent in rural paved roads within three years to June 2016. It has improved access to social amenities including government services and enhanced rural development.
Plans to start small-scale commercial oil production in March 2017, shows Kenya’s resolve to begin exporting the commodity to markets in the region by June next year, bringing in more foreign income for economic growth.
Similarly government invested big on security to tackle new security challenges heightened by persistent terror attacks in the country.
Under Police modernisation that aimed at enhancing capacity of National police service, construction and equipping a forensic laboratory is almost complete to speed up cases using forensic science. The government acquired more choppers to boost aerial surveillance.
The development of 60,000 housing units to shelter the police is also on course with four lenders picked to fund construction of the first 20,000 units.
“Alot has been achieved so far under the national dream. We are actually achieving the dream well before our self-imposed deadlines and targets,” said Dr Mwangi.
Political reforms through implementation of new constitution, devolution and checks and balances where parliament and judiciary including the top executive is given independence will shield key projects from election jitters.
World Bank’s projections of a 6.4 percent growth in gross domestic product (GDP) are also seen accelerating more activities in the private sector over the election period.
Vision 2030 delivery Board Director General, Dr Julius Muia said projects under the vision are large, complex and long term to avert election cycle jitters.
“Inclusion of national values pillar and reforms in judiciary and police we expect a big difference in terms of current situation,” said Dr Muia.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary, Amb. Monicah Juma affirmed foreign investors have exuded strong confidence with a long term appetite to invest in the local market.
“Kenya has seen an exponential increase in international delegations preferring to tour the country for both business and leisure, and this gives us an assurance that the country is being watched by global players as a key market for investments,” said Amb Juma.
Safaricom Chief executive officer, Bob Collymore said private sector players were upbeat about increasing investments to push up number of jobs created in the economy.
“Private sector players play an integral role in pushing for achievement of Vision 2030. With reports showing 3,000 Kenyans being born every day, we need to create at least 250 jobs to sustain these numbers. 80% of these jobs will come from the private sector,” said Collymore.
The Tunatimiza campaign launched on Friday will be used to showcase to Kenyans the strides made in delivering key promises to uplift economy and status of livelihoods over the next 13 years.
“I am delighted to launch this campaign. We want to showcase the progress status to all Kenyans and remind everyone the vision is inclusive of every single Kenyan,” said Dr Mwangi.
“The campaign will further strengthen trust among Kenyans and boost government and private sector focus and will to deliver infrastructure and construction projects to time, budget and specification,” said Dr Mwangi.