State House Spokesperson Manoah Esipisu, briefing journalists at State House, Kisumu. PHOTO/PSCU
(PSCU) — Kenya has witnessed unprecedented development ranging from infrastructure development to improved access to electricity under President Uhuru Kenyatta’s rule, State House has said.
State House said Kenya is better today than it was four years ago when President Kenyatta took office.
The Head of State, who was sworn into office on April 9th 2013, marks the anniversary of his fourth year in power today.
State House Spokesperson Manoah Esipisu said Kenyans have a lot to be thankful for including but not limited to the successful establishment of devolution and the fact that people are healthier today than four years ago.
Speaking when he briefed journalists at the Kisumu State Lodge today, Mr Manoah said the Jubilee Administration has ensured that all laws relating to devolution have been enacted and has also more than doubled resources allocated to county government’s.
Whereas the Constitution states counties are entitled to only 15 percent of national revenue, President Kenyatta’s Administration has been allocating more than 34 percent to the counties.
“If you consider these facts, together with the fact that this administration has set up critical new institutions that manage inter-government relations. It is clear to us that the country is making progress,” he said.
He said the Jubilee Government has overseen the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway, the single largest infrastructure project Kenya has ever witnessed.
He said no county has been left behind in the Jubilee Administration’s policies of improving infrastructure, increasing of access to electricity and including other programs like free maternity.
He listed how the Jubilee Administration has increased the number of households with electricity in Homa Bay County from 11,071 to 47,212 in a span of four years.
“In Siaya County, the number of households that have been connected to the grid currently stands at 58,420 households, compared to 14,168 households in June 2013, representing an increase of 312%,” said Mr Manoah.
In Kisumu County, 172,027 houses were connected in the same period compared to 42,177 in June 2013. This represents 308% increase in electricity connectivity in Kisumu County – the largest increase in connectivity countrywide.
In regards to primary school connectivity, 914 primary schools in Homa Bay County have been connected to the national grid. In Siaya County, 674 primary schools have been connected up from 212 schools in June 2013.
The Spokesperson said Jubilee’s development record is provable and that was one of the reasons why President Kenyatta will on Monday, April 10 2017, launch a portal to showcase the Government’s development records.
“Tomorrow, in Nairobi, President Kenyatta will launch a public information portal where the tiniest details of the Jubilee administration investments of the last four years can be traced, and the impact vivid for all to share,” said Mr Manoah.
He said the portal will showcase various National Government programs and projects across the country.
Mr Manoah said the Jubilee Administration has also embarked on clearing the invasive hyacinth weed from Lake Victoria.
He said the government is buying equipment for clearing the weed and that 500 National Youth Service cohorts have already been assigned to start the work.
Speaking on the President’s diary for the week, Mr Manoah announced that the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, will pay a State Visit to Kenya on Tuesday.
“The State visit will provide an opportunity to strengthen the good relations existing between Kenya and Qatar,” he said.
On Wednesday, President Kenyatta will hold talks with Prince Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia to discuss a number of issues of mutual interest.
Saudi Arabia’s Minister for Commerce and Investment, Dr Majed bin Abdullahi Al-Kassabi will also lead a delegation of 80 investors and entrepreneurs to Kenya
“The investors have interests in agriculture, energy, construction, transport, healthcare among others,” said the Spokesperson.
Qatar and Saudi Arabia are two of the world’s largest exporters of petroleum products and have rich economies.
The booming economic growth in Qatar provides numerous business and investment opportunities for Kenyans including engineering and construction, subcontracting; supply of food products (Qatar is a net importer of both fresh and processed foods).
It also offers hotel and restaurant businesses and employment of Kenyan youth.
Kenya and Saudi Arabia have a general agreement on cooperation, which touches on economic, trade and investment ties.
The visit by the Crown Prince and the business delegation led by the Minister of Commerce will deepen the relationship between Kenya and Saudi Arabia.