President Kenyatta highlights key achievements of 2015

President Uhuru Kenyatta has highlighted a number of achievements that the Jubilee Government has attained in 2015.

In his New Year message on Thursday, President Kenyatta said that despite facing a number of challenges, the government has made significant strides in various sectors in 2015.

“Where we are today is different from where we were a year ago.  We have travelled far along the path envisioned for us by our founding fathers, and paved by our predecessors,” said President Kenyatta.

“Together, we have worked hard towards the promise of a free, peaceful and prosperous Kenya.  Together, we have continued to entrench the value of patriotism, integrity and hard work and to strengthen our commitment to a just, transparent, accountable and inclusive society.”

The head of state pointed out that Kenya’s relationship with her neighbours and friends abroad grew deeper and stronger in 2015 with the country attracting millions of dollars in foreign investments.

“With our African siblings, we accelerated the integration agenda and intensified the pursuit of our mutual interests.  In other continents, Kenya stamped its footprint, making friends and successfully fostering win-win, mutually beneficial interests which rapidly advanced our development agenda.”

“We wooed many investors and attracted millions of dollars in foreign direct investment.  We increased our exports.  We helped bring peace and understanding in troubled lands. We raised our stature in the community of nations and earned the respect Kenya deserves.”

President Kenyatta stated that it is because of good relations that Kenya was able to host world leaders including US President Barack Obama and Pope Francis and hosting major world events including the Global Entrepreneurship Summit and WTO Ministerial Conference.

Electricity connection

He also highlighted that the government has completed the final phase of connecting government primary schools to electricity.

“This has enabled us to lay a foundation for the delivery of our promise of modern, digital learning in primary schools.

For the first time in our nation’s history, we are also on target to connect one million households to the national grid in a single financial year, and remain on target to connect 70 per cent of Kenyan households to electricity by 2017.”

“By connecting market centres and rural households to power, we have significantly enhanced the basis for strengthening productivity of the rural economy.”

Wildlife conservation

On the matter of wildlife conservation, President Kenyatta said there has been significant progress in 2015 with cases of poaching decreasing by 80 per cent with the number of elephants poached falling to 57 while that of rhinos dropping to 5.

He added: “With respect to the environment, 150 million seedlings were prepared for planting, improving forest cover to 7.2 per cent.”

“After the successful Climate Change summit in Paris, Kenya received USD10 million from the Climate Adaptation Fund while Denmark committed to supporting Kenya with Sh7.5 billion for the Green Growth and Employment Project.”

“Further, the Renewable Energy Initiative pledged USD10 billion in renewable energy projects for the region, and we stand to benefit significantly.”

Healthcare

Focus on the health sector is also set to be prioritised with the president saying that the government will set up two hospitals in every county equipped with facilities to screen and treat conditions that have caused patients to travel far for treatment.

“Already we have equipped 15 hospitals and our target is to complete the remainder by June 2016 to bolster access to health services.  Additionally the government has in place a programme for 100 fully fitted containerised clinics with particular focus being improved services to informal settlements,” said the president.

“We have successfully engaged county governors to develop necessary conditions to attract appropriate professionals and to provide the resources required to make healthcare provision robust and sustainable.”

Security

On security, President Kenyatta said this passage of security laws at the beginning of the year was necessary in supporting security apparatus in combating crime and terrorism, adding that because of this, the country is enjoying better security.

“The improvement in security that we witness today has not only restored the confidence of Kenyans but also boosted their ability to go about their businesses unhindered. In 2016, we will endeavour to make Kenya even safer for all Kenyans and our visitors.”

President Kenyatta expressed gratitude to security personnel who have made sacrifices to defend the country and those who lost their lives in the line of duty.

He urged Kenyans to remember civilians who lost their lives during terrorist and criminal attacks in prayers saying Kenyans should be committed to do their part to protect the country.

Corruption

The issue of corruption was also mentioned in the speech with the president saying his government is commitment to fighting graft.

“As a government we know the value of good governance and integrity and for this reason we have prioritised promotion of integrity and the fight against corruption as a key pillar of our socio-economic development agenda.”

“This is why in 2015 we, in a big way, enhanced our efforts to restore sanity in public life and give integrity a chance. Our multi-agency strategy against corruption has begun to bear fruits. In 2015, we drew first blood in the duel with the corruption monster and in 2016 we intend to increase these efforts.”

The Jubilee Government will be marking its fourth year in power in 2016 having taken office in April 2013 after President Uhuru Kenyatta was announced winner of the March 3rd General Election.