Tag Archives: President Kenyatta

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How the Anti-Graft Fight Is Aimed At Improving Business Environment

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President Uhuru Kenyatta today assured investors in Kenya that the war against corruption will continue so as to make the country’s business environment better.

The President said the government’s commitment to make Kenya a preferred investment destination in Africa is reflected in the latest World Bank Ease of Doing Business Ranking where Kenya is placed at position 56 in the world.

The President, who spoke at the UN Complex in Gigiri, Nairobi when he opened the 2nd American Chamber of Commerce US-East Africa Trade and Investment Forum challenged the private sector to  play its role in the fight against corruption by fully implementing its anti-graft code of conduct.

“While the means to fight corruption are entrenched in laws such as the Bribery Act 2016, the private sector, as a whole, should also ensure the Code of Conduct developed a few years ago to self-regulate and tackle business enterprises engaging in corruption, is implemented to the letter.  It is only by working together we can be assured of conquering the corruption dragon,” the President said.

The President assured investors that the intensified war against corruption will be sustained so as to rid the country of the vice and improve the environment for businesses to thrive.

“We will strive to uphold good business practices and keep the business environment transparent and fair and ensure that all businesses in Kenya have a level playing field, regardless of whether they are local or international companies,” he said.

The Head of State thanked the American Chamber of Commerce for organising the summit and challenged the forum to take the strategic partnership between Kenya and the US to new heights.

The President called on US companies to invest more in Kenya by emulating General Electric and Phillips. The two American multinational businesses have continued to expand their presence in the country by taking advantage of the nation’s expanding economy.

President Kenyatta said Kenya’s sustained investments in infrastructure development in recent years has resulted in the reduction in the cost of doing business in the country.

“Since last year’s summit, the Mombasa-Nairobi railway line has been extended to Suswa, near the geothermal centre and the site of a soon-to-be opened industrial park.  You are invited to consider putting your investments in this Park,” the President said.

He said the Big Four plan provides good business opportunities and asked US firms to be first in line to partner with Kenyans in delivering the development blueprint.

“My administration is seeking to create at least 6.5 million jobs over the next five years so as to ensure that Kenyans, and, in particular, the youth, can secure and maintain good jobs,” he said.

The President noted the low trade volumes between Kenya and the US, and expressed optimism the newly agreed strategic partnership between the two countries will help lift the numbers.

“I am convinced we can do better than this; and there is a lot to build upon.  I, however, note with satisfaction that a wide range of U.S. companies are investing in Kenya and across the East Africa region,” said the President.

Trade CS Peter Munya and Constance Hamilton, the Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Africa also spoke at the event that was attended by participants from across the East African region.

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Latest Education News

President Kenyatta Launches Shs 1.9bn Locally Assembled School Desks Project

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President Uhuru Kenyatta Thursday launched the Shs 1.9 billion school furniture project that will see jua kali artisans supply 650,000 locally assembled desks.

Besides equipping secondary and primary schools, the project which is part of the Government’s post-Covid-19 economic stimulus program, is aimed at boosting the jua kali sector.

Speaking during the launch at a furniture workshop in Umoja estate, Nairobi County, the President said the project is modeled on the ongoing Kazi Mtaani youth employment initiative.

“After Kazi Mtaani program, we have said instead of school desks being made by big companies, we give our youth the opportunity to exercise their skills.

“We believe in individuals earning from their sweat and hence we decided to give our skilled youth the opportunity to earn decent livelihoods,” the President said.

The Head of State reiterated his commitment to continue improving the lives of all Kenyans by creating an enabling environment for hard working citizens to thrive.

“I don’t want to engage in empty politics of name calling. Rather, I am working hard to ensure all Kenyans work and enjoy the fruits of their labour,” he said.

The President directed the ministries of education and interior to ensure that the project benefits artisans across the country.

“We want to ensure all our youth with skills are engaged so as to benefit from their sweat. This program is not for Nairobi alone but for all Kenyans who are skilled and are working in the jua kali sector,” he said.

He challenged local artisans to ensure they assemble and supply desks that meet the highest quality standards and advised project beneficiaries to form saving societies to grow their earnings from the project.

“Once you start this work encourage all young people to form SACCO’s where they can be putting their savings. You should not utilise every coin, it is wise for you to save for the future,” the President said.

On his way from the launch, the President, who was accompanied by Cabinet Secretaries Fred Matiang’i (Interior) and Prof George Magoha (Education), made a brief stop over at the Nairobi Railway Station where he inspected ongoing modernisation works.

Politics & Govt

President Kenyatta Outlines Measures To Increase Agricultural Productivity As He Opens Mombasa Show

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President Uhuru Kenyatta today outlined the measures his administration is taking in order to enhance agricultural productivity in the country.

The President who underscored the importance of agriculture as a key driver of country’s industrialization strategy challenged Kenyans to fully utilize the potential of the sector.

He acknowledged the importance of the sector to the country’s economy saying the country’s Vision 2030 will largely be delivered through a performing agricultural sector.

“In 2018, the agricultural sector was the largest contributor to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of our nation, accounting for a direct contribution of 32 per cent of GDP and an additional 27 per cent of GDP, through linkages with manufacturing,” the President said.

“The theme of this year’s Show “Promoting Innovations and Technology in Agriculture and Trade” is most appropriate and resonates well with our nation’s aspiration to be an industrialized middle income country by 2030. In our context, agriculture is key to our industrialization strategy as most of our industries are agro–based,” he added.

President Kenyatta who spoke when he presided over the official opening of this year’s Mombasa International Show said the government is implementing a 10-year comprehensive Agriculture Sector Transformation Growth Strategy, which seeks to boost incomes from agriculture.

“This is a decade-long process that will support modernization of agriculture, increase value addition by moving from primary production towards processing and retail,” the President said.

As part of the far-reaching reforms in the sector, the President said the government is implementing legal and policy reforms to support youth and women to engage in agriculture and agribusiness.

“My administration is particularly keen to support our youth and to encourage more of our young people to engage in agriculture and agribusiness and we will continue to develop several technology-driven programmes to enable them participate in the agricultural production value chain,” the President said.

The Head of State cited the Kenya Agriculture Insurance Programme (KAIP) and the Kenya Livestock Insurance (KLIP) as measures the government is taking to mitigate against the effects of climate change and weather variability. The two interventions have benefitted 500,000 farmers and 180,000 pastoralist households respectively.

On the blue economy, the President outlined the various Government initiatives aimed at reviving the fishing and shipping industries.

“Further, to promote the development and efficiency in coastal fish related businesses and achieve various activities we have now established the Fisher Associations and the Kenya Fish Marketing Authority ,” he said.

In the current financial year, the President said the government had allocated the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Shs 48.5 billion to boost food production.

“The funds will be directed to key flagship projects, including irrigation, input subsidy, strategic grain reserve, fisheries, livestock development and technology transfer. This will boost overall agricultural production and lead to a reduction in food prices,” President Kenyatta said.

Alongside the direct interventions, the President said his administration is implementing several road projects to ensure farmers have easy access to local and regional markets.

Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho said he fully supports President Kenyatta’s development agenda to improve the livelihoods of all Kenyans.

He urged all leaders and the people of the Coast region to rally behind the President saying his projects are aimed at making Kenya a better country for all.

Other speakers included Tourism CS Najib Balala and Agriculture Chief Administrative Secretary Andrew Tuimur.

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President Kenyatta to preside over the official opening of the 2019 Mombasa International Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) Show.
Politics & Govt

President Kenyatta Assents To Division Of Revenue Bill 2019, Calls On Counties To Prioritize Settlement Of Pending Bills

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President Uhuru Kenyatta today signed into law the Division of Revenue Bill 2019 paving the way for the release of funds to counties.

The new law allocates Shs 378.1 billion to county governments for the 2019/20 financial year. Out of the total allocation, Shs 316.5 billion is the equitable share of national revenue while 61.6 billion are conditional allocations to the devolved units.
The total allocation of Shs 378.1 billion to county governments represents 36. 46 percent of the audited and approved revenue of the National Government for the financial year 2018/19 against the constitutional threshold of 15 percent.

The National Treasury has already disbursed over Shs 50 billion to counties for the months of July and August.
With the new law in place, the President reiterated the government’s commitment to scheduled disbursement of funds to counties to enable them to continue delivering services to Kenyans.

He urged county governments to finalize their budget processes which should prioritize settlement of pending payments to suppliers such as the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA) for medical supplies to facilitate the delivery of the ongoing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) program.
President Kenyatta further urged county governments to come up with better systems of collecting and managing their own revenue.

Present during the signing of the Bill were Acting Treasury CS Ukur Yattani, Devolution CS Eugene Wamalwa, Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi, Leader of Majority in the National Assembly Aden Duale, Attorney General Paul Kihara Kariuki and Treasury PS Dr Julius Muia among others.