Uhuru’s Madaraka gifts

President Uhuru Kenyatta used his milestone first Madaraka Day address to the nation to promise that his government will implement the pledges made on the campaign trail by the Jubilee team.

Maternal healthcare, revival of the economy and job creation, improving security and ensuring the success of the effort to devolve power to the grassroots were at the heart of his speech.

Mr Kenyatta announced that with immediate effect, all pregnant mothers will access free maternity services in public health facilities.

He also scrapped the user fees of Sh10 and Sh20 that dispensaries and health centres have previously charged to attend to patients.

“These measures are expected to increase access to required services by all pregnant mothers. They will also increase access to primary healthcare services in government health centres and dispensaries by all Kenyans,” Mr Kenyatta said.

The President ordered the re-deployment of all Provincial Commissioners and heads of departments at the provinces in line with the Constitution. This follows embarrassing incidents of power struggles between the provincial administrators and governors, who were elected to head counties on March 4.

“As we roll out the devolved system of government, I call upon governors and other leaders at the county level to focus critically on growing county economies to create opportunities and wealth for our people,” said the President, who took office on April 9.

It was a day coloured with historical significance as the second national holiday since the March 4 elections. Labour Day was celebrated on May 1.

Politicians were few and far between among the dignitaries on the stage, which was heavily populated by the technocrat-dominated Cabinet.

President Kenyatta’s speech had a few broad themes including security, devolution, healthcare and the economy.

He pledged that the government will strengthen cooperatives to boost investments and generate employment opportunities.

“The mobilisation of savings is particularly key to the realisation of Vision 2030 in respect to increasing national savings from the current 17 per cent to 30 per cent of national income,” he said.
The President challenged Kenyans to strengthen and harness the potential of the Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOS) which boast deposits of about Sh378 billion.

He announced that the government had set aside Sh17.8 billion in the next financial year to boost food security.

Some of the money will be used to support current irrigation projects countrywide and the balance to create a new one-million-acre irrigation programme.

Mr Kenyatta also announced that the government had allocated Sh6 billion in the next financial year to be distributed to youth and women’s groups as interest-free loans in all the 290 constituencies.

The President confirmed that the government had already made provisions for the purchase of laptops in schools and also set aside resources for building the capacity of teachers in lower primary schools to run computer classes.

The government was also working on developing e-content for the computer labs to be set up in 10 schools per constituency, while all schools in the pilot project will be linked to the national power grid. 

Mr Kenyatta announced that the government had set aside Sh4 billion over the next five years to buy modern security equipment in its efforts to combat spiralling insecurity in the country.
The statement came against a backdrop of rising crime in parts of the country.

The President said the government proposed to allocate Sh4.5 billion for enhanced security operations; Sh1.5 billion for crime research and investigation and Sh3 billion to finance the leasing of motor vehicles and fuelling them for security operations.

“I assure all Kenyans that I will not rest until every Kenyan feels safe and secure. To the students, teachers and parents in Bungoma, to my fellow citizens in Mathare, to Kenyans in Tana River, and to citizens across the land – we will defend you and ensure your safety and freedom,” Mr Kenyatta said.

He said more security officers had been deployed to vulnerable areas and equipped to deal with emerging threats.

“I have directed all security organs to step up their operations and to secure the nation,” he said, adding that the ongoing police reforms were already bearing fruit.

“It is our intention to ensure that we have an efficient, well-equipped, motivated and responsive police service that will serve the nation impartially and deal firmly with criminals.”
He announced that his government would give priority to road construction and maintenance in the next five years.

Among the key projects earmarked for implementation, Mr Kenyatta said, is the Lamu port project comprising a new road, rail and pipeline network connecting Kenya to South Sudan and Ethiopia; the Northern Corridor Transport project and the Kenya Transport Sector Support Project which involves the rehabilitation of targeted regional and national roads connecting Kenya to East African neighbours as well as enhancing inter-county roads connectivity.

“We shall also secure adequate funding to begin immediate construction of the standard gauge railway line from Mombasa to Kisumu,” he announced.

In his off-the-cuff remarks, Mr Kenyatta exuded confidence that his government would deliver on its election pledges. He urged leaders to stop politicking and instead focus on working for Kenyans.

“I am ready to join you so that we can move the country forward,” said Mr Kenyatta. “If we do wrong, we are ready to be criticised but if we do well, we should also be given a pat on the back.”

The President warned corrupt individuals that their days were numbered. “Those who think they can plunder public resources and get away with it should be warned. Siku za mwizi ni arobaini na zenu zinakaribia kufika,” he said, calling on wananchi to report cases of corruption to law enforcers.

Mr Kenyatta also appealed to the youth to stop abusing drugs and alcohol. He advised them to take advantage of grants to start businesses once the budget is approved by Parliament.

“I am ready to work with you; I hope you are ready to work with me,” he said.