President William Ruto and his cabinet have approved five bill policies during a meeting where the head of state was briefed about the state of the nation.
The move, according to the president, is to ensure that the government forges ahead and make new decisions that will be beneficial to Kenyans.
The bill policies approved include the Kenya Secondary Education Equity and Quality Improvement Programme, the Kenya-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and the Public Finance Management (Amendment) Bill 2024.
The Cabinet also approved the Co-Hosting of the Second Edition of the African Continental Free Trade Area Youth Symposium on September 5-7.
The 2024 policy and the Ratification of Bilateral Air Services Agreements between Kenya and various countries, including Somalia, Morocco, Algeria, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Guinea, the United Kingdom and South Korea was also approved.
A bill is a proposal for a new law while a policy is a guideline, or principals adopted to be followed by organizations, governments or other entities to achieve a certain goal.
Also Read: Ruto’s Son-in-Law Threatens to Shutdown Businesses After Damning Allegations
Ruto Briefed on State of the Nation After Protests
A dispatch from State House had detailed that the president was informed that security agencies have stabilized the protests and are monitoring any developments.
Subsequently, Ruto said the government was determined to focus on charting a new future for the country and making significant changes to align with that new future.
According to the dispatch, Ruto was notified that the riots began as a protest against high taxes but has later been taken over by criminal and opportunistic political forces.
However, police officers acted professionally and did a good job to maintain order in the country.
“The members commended security officers, pointing out that they on the whole acted professionally in very difficult circumstances. The Cabinet also noted that security agencies did a good job of protecting the country from anarchists,” the statement read in part.
On the withdrawn Finance Bill, Ruto has said that the National Treasury is reorganizing the budget to accommodate the new reality.
Moreover, he explained that the treasury will have to cut down of budgets to “balance between what to be implemented and what can wait” and ensure that key national programmes are not affected.
“Our plan is good and solid, and, in the fullness of time, we shall be vindicated,” Ruto said.
Also Read: Kenya Unrest: Ruto Awakened Class Politics That Now Threatens to Engulf Him
Way Forward After Destruction of Property
The members of the cabinet reported to the president that criminals and opportunistic politicians had been reigning terror in the country in the past two weeks leading to loss of life and distraction of property.
“The two groups have in the past two weeks reigned terror on the people of Kenya in the cities, towns and other urban areas, occasioning loss of life, destruction of National and County governments’ buildings, infrastructure, vehicles, homes and businesses,” added the statement.
Consequently, the cabinet said that all national security agencies, including the military were deployed because of the threat posed to Parliament, the Supreme Court and other infrastructure.
“On any officers who may have acted outside the confines of the law, the Cabinet said they will be dealt with in accordance with legal procedure and by the institutions mandated to do so.
“The Cabinet also called for action against those who have committed heinous crimes of arson, looting and robbery, among others, saying such atrocities must not go unpunished,” Ruto and his cabinet stated.
Other projects set for implementation include the Kenya Urban Improvement Project in the Nairobi Metropolitan Area, the phased-out upgrade of the 163km Nairobi Commuter Rail.
“The first phase of the upgrade will comprise improving the 58km commuter rail between the Nairobi Central Railway Station and Thika.
“The project will also include acquisition of new locomotives and improvement of non-motorized transport infrastructure, and feeder roads along the Nairobi Commuter Rail network.”
Follow our WhatsApp Channel for real-time news updates:
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaB3k54HltYFiQ1f2i2C
