•Kenya says the war is disrupting the export-import supply chain that could especially affect fuel prices.
•The almost month-long war broke out after Russia invaded Ukraine.
Image: CYRUS OMBATI
The government says the ongoing war in Ukraine will affect the economic growth of the country.
Kenya says the war is disrupting the export-import supply chain that could especially affect fuel prices.
The almost month-long war broke out after Russia invaded Ukraine.
The revelations were made Monday during a briefing between the National Development Implementation Coordination and Communication Committee (NDICC) and development partners from various foreign countries on Monday.
Chairman of the committee and Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i briefed the team in its second meeting in a month following a similar one that took place on February 12, 2022.
“The economy is expected to stabilise at six per cent in 2022 boosted by a strong performance at 11.9%, 9.9% in the second and third quarters of the 2021 Financial Year and remittances from the diaspora,” he said.
As part of efforts to open up the country, the government targets to vaccinate 26 million up from the current 27.1 million people aged 18 years and above to boost Covid immunity and allow for more economic activities from increased interactions.
He said the government will continue to rollout labour-intensive projects such as Kazi Mtaani, the construction of CBC classrooms and other infrastructural developments around the Big Four agenda to provide the youth with job opportunities and create incomes for families.
“An additional 50 new Level 3 and Level 4 hospitals will be constructed across the country to ease pressure on the Kenyatta National Hospital and other referral institutions.”
Matiangi said the number of people in need of food and water relief in 23 Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) counties has increased to 3.1 million due to below-normal short rains last year.
"This is projected to rise to 3.5 million on account of depressed March-May rains based on the Metrological Department weather outlook," he added.
He added a hybrid program of cash transfer and food distribution involving Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and the National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs) has been adopted to expedite access to relief for targeted recipients.
On refugees, the CS said funding is required to transition 456,272 refugees living in Kakuma and Daadab centres and 87,647 refugees in Kenya’s urban centres under a ‘Marshall Plan’ anchored on investment in Refugee Villages that will provide infrastructure in education, health, water, energy, security and environmental conservation in designated centres.
Voluntary repatriations that will encourage and facilitate refugees to return to their countries of origin will also be considered.
The naturalisation of East Africa Community (EAC) refugees who will be encouraged to apply for Kenyan citizenship and be helped to integrate will also be a factor in addressing the refugee issue.
The ambassadors who included the diplomatic community and the UN system said they were impressed by the progress made so far by the government in addressing various issues in the country.
World Bank Country Director for Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia and Uganda Keith Hansen said they were impressed by the country’s response to the economic situation, drought and the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We are gratified with the progress made so far and wish to congratulate the government for all they are doing about the drought situation, pandemic and economy,” he said.
On security for general elections, Matiangi said critical election-management reference materials, including the Election Management Security Plan, the Standards Operating Procedures for Peace and Security, the Election Security Management Manual and Guide to Election Security Training Manuals have been developed and distributed to the relevant teams.
"More security officers have been recruited and more equipment procured and deployed to beef up security while election-specific training is ongoing," he said.
“The National Multi-Agency Command Centre on Election Security has been activated and the reorganisation and realignment of security teams undertaken.”
There is also continuous mapping and counterstrategies on election-related security challenges, including hate crime, cyber and computer misuse, terrorism, livestock rustling and drought being undertaken.
Further, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission has intensified activities across the country to promote peaceful electioneering and to foster intercommunity coexistences.
“The NCIC has enhanced monitoring and crack down on hate crime related to campaigns and 51 cases are currently under investigation,” said the CS.
The meeting explored areas of Government-Development Partners cooperation and resolved to continuously strengthen accountability mechanisms to ensure resources are optimised for the intended objectives.
CSs Joe Mucheru (ICT), Ukur Yattan (treasury) and attorney general Paul Kihara were among those present.