The Kenya Kwanza government under the tenacious leadership of H.E President Ruto, which has been in power for almost a year now, had made tremendous steps towards the socio-economic empowerment of the people of Kenya. Elected on the manifesto and promise of a Bottoms-Up Agenda, the government is making headway in Agricultural, Educational and Infrastructural reforms.

When H.E President Ruto ascended into the presidency, he had 3 main areas of priority that needed his immediate attentions, he said at the Kiririmbi Show on Inooro TV on Sunday evening, at an interview in Sagana. The President is on a 5 Day official development tour in Central Kenya.

Top of the list of President Ruto’s priorities when he took over the country’s presidency was alleviating the challenges that have been a thorn in the Education sector. First and foremost was the confusion brought about by the implementation of the CBC curriculum? Confusion arising from lack of awareness of the advancement of candidates and the challenges of human resources in the public schools. The Kenya Kwanza government, to solve the problem of lack of enough human resources, has hired more than 56,000 teachers, an unprecedented number of teachers in just under one year.

Disorganization of the TVETs was another challenge in the education sector, with students lacking information on enrollment, scholarships, the curriculum and lack of enough teachers. The Ministry of Education is in the process of hiring about 107,000 teachers in to the TVETs while funding to these institutions has increased from just 5Billion to 10Billion Kenyan shillings.

During the previous regime, a number of public universities were languishing in debt due to the mismanagement of funds, with several of these schools on the verge of permanent closure. This would have been detrimental to the population of Kenya. In just under one year, debts amounting to about 60Billion has been cleared. The Ministry of Education in partnership with the Chancellors and the boards of these schools have made a clear and concise plans reduce these debts.

Funding to public universities was increased from 44 Billion to 82 Billion. The government has set aside 630 Billion for the improvement of the education sector.

Deputy President H.E Rigathi Gachagua has been on the forefront of the second highest priority sector, the Agricultural sector. Spearheading the reforms in tea and coffee, the Deputy President has first and foremost led to the registration and digitization of farmers’ records. More that 5Million farmers have been registered. This was done in just one month, an endeavor that had proved to be almost impossible before. This exercise is meant to reduce the corruption in issuance of subsidized fertilizers and inputs by eliminating the unscrupulous middle men. More than 2 Million farmers have so far received these fertilizers.

The President is of the belief that empowering the Kenyan farmers is the first most important step to bringing down the cost of living and growing the economy. Kenyans spend an entire 52% of their income on just food. By empowering the farmers, output will increase, while reducing the costs of production, leading to more exports and a surplus in the country’s food supply.

H.E Rigathi Gachagua has met with both tea and coffee farmers in Kericho and Meru respectively, to discuss the challenges facing them and how best to move forward past them towards the goal of agricultural reforms. The country is expecting an increase in this year’s harvest thanks to the availability of subsidized fertilizer and input.

The third most important problem to solve was the country’s external debt. The country was in massive debt left right and center, according the H.E President Ruto. Reducing the public debt that has been a load on the shoulders of the Kenyan taxpayers has been the President’s goal. The President, together with the government set aside 300Billion from the supplementary budget to cater to this debt. The Fiscal deficit has reduced from 1.1 Trillion to 700Billion. Almost 500Billion that would have been borrowed has been avoided. The government has also ensured all the county bills have been paid. For the first time in 10 years, the counties have received the expected funds on time. Previous delays of up to 3 months will be a thing of the past.

The President has made a call to remind all the CSs and ministries that service to the Kenyan people is the most important priority right now. He wishes to hold them accountable to the Kenyan people that entrusted him with the most important job in this country. Continuation of all the stalled projects should be the priority of all elected leaders. They should strive to improve and better the infrastructure for the benefit of Kenyans.

H.E President Ruto has also urged the people of Kenya to shun the calls for violence protests. He reminded Kenyans that the country’s prosperity is built on a solid foundation of democracy and patriotism. He hopes for a strong opposition whose purpose will be to hold his government accountable. The president has assured all Kenyans that the Kenya Kwanza Manifesto was not just a campaign promise but it serves as a guide to the development promises his government must fulfil.

In under one year, the Kenya Kwanza has made unprecedented strides in improving the life of Wanjiku.