The main goal of the Kenya Kwanza manifesto presented by President William Ruto, launched on June 30, 2022, was to address Kenya’s economic challenges if he succeeded in taking over Office of the President.
An analysis and comparison of the promises he made in the manifesto reveals that a year in office, the Head of State has kept his word on most of the promises he made – the question been if Kenyans are feeling the impact.
Notably, this analysis by The Kenya Times, focused on the five pillars of the bottom-up economic model that he adopted when he took over office in September 2022.
“The aim is to achieve durable growth, while maintaining macroeconomic stability and empowerment of the people at the bottom of the pyramid—the hustlers.
“The bottom-up economic model, therefore, is a people-driven, deliberately inclusive, participatory process where citizen participation is at the core of policies, strategies, programmes and projects,” Ruto stated during the launch.
The five pillars included Agriculture and Food Security, MSMEs and Financing, Housing, Health access and ICT and Creative Economy.
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Agriculture and Food Security
This was one of the biggest challenges that the Head of State noted affected many aspects of the economy including the cost of living, foreign exchange, incomes, Industrialization and poverty.
Subsequently, the Kenya Kwanza government promised to raise productivity of key value food chains, reduce dependence on basic food imports.
Also, he promised to transform poor farmers from food deficit to surplus producers through input finance and intensive agricultural extension support.
On delivery, the president has initiated the distribution of subsidized fertilizer across the country to increase food production,
Additionally, he has worked with the Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to initiate and implement tea and coffee reforms to increase exports. However, on this, the DP is yet to address all the challenges.
At the same time, Ruto entered into an agreement with a multinational firm, while attending 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Egypt, to build a green fertilizer facility in Kenya.
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MSMEs and Financing
Among other promises, Ruto stated that the Kenya Kwanza government would commit Ksh50 billion for a reliable access to finances for SMEs through saccos.
At the same time, he promised to allocate Ksh250 billion in FY2022/23 – FY2026/27 to contribute directly to supporting a revolving hustler fund and business development services for the registered SMEs
Subsequently, the Head of State launched the hustler fund loan programme on November 30, and a follow up launch of the second face of group loans on June 1, targeting groups such as chamas and Saccos.
At the time, Ruto revealed that borrowers had accessed nearly Ksh30 billion, and repaid Ksh19.7 billion, with 7 million being loyal or repeat customers.
Housing and Settlement
Under housing, Ruto promised to ensure an increase in housing to 250,000 a year through public private partnership.
He noted that the goal would be achieved by structuring an affordable long-term housing finance scheme that will guarantee the offtake of houses from developers.
Also, he promised to strengthen jua kali industry to produce high quality construction productions through industrial parks domiciled around TVETs.
“Next to agriculture, we see housing production as the sector that will create employment for over 100,000 young Kenyans that are graduating from TVETs every year directly in the construction sector,” he stated.
A review of his initiatives so far indicated that Ruto had been launching the construction of the houses in different parts of the country including in Starehe, Nakuru, Kibera, Hom Bay, Syokimau, Shauri Moyo, Machakos and other areas.
In October 2022, Ruto announced that financial institutions pledged over Ksh1 trillion towards the project, which he indicated would also be used to build industrial parks across the country.
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By August 2023, there were over 33,000 affordable housing units either completed or still under construction.
Additionally, he introduced a 1.5 percent housing levy on salaried individuals across the country that will be accumulated to help them own the houses.
Health access
Under health access, Ruto promised to structure a successful Afya Bora Mashinani which would have a primary health care-based approach and give priority to preventive and promotive services in grass root areas.
“We will establish Multi-Disciplinary Teams to take primary health care services to the grassroots as envisioned in our bottom-up health care model.
“We will work with counties to train sufficient community health workers and ensure regular monthly payments,” he stated.
The Head of State officially launched the Affordable Universal Healthcare Coverage (UHC) on October 20 to improve access to primary healthcare.
He also signed into law Universal Health Care Bills to ensure that guaranteed Kenyans access to quality health care by all Kenyans.
ICT and Creative Economy
Under this pillar, Ruto promised to ensure economic transformation of rural economy through digitization by investing in the digital economy.
Notably, he promised that the Kenya Kwanza government would roll out 100,000km of fibre to counties, villages, schools, over 24,000 businesses and homes expected to speed up innovation and entrepreneurship.
Additionally, he promised to enhance government service delivery through digitization and automation of all government critical processes and make 80 per cent of government services available online.
The government has already set up several hotspots within Nairobi County. Some of the regions currently enjoying the free internet include Ahero, Kapsabet, Bondo, Embu, and Nyeri and others.
At the same time, June 30, 2023, Ruto unveiled 5,000 Government services that could be accessed online, to enhance efficiency and inclusivity in service delivery.
