Over 16% of Kenyans live below poverty line, says CS Mvurya

This is according to Mining and Blue Economy CS Salim Mvurya, who said all these problems will be addressed through the Kenya Kwanza bottom-up economic model.

He said as a government, they are focused on addressing the issue of food scarcity, unemployment and poverty.

According to Mvurya, the immediate former Kwale governor, 16.1 per cent of Kenyans currently live below the poverty line.

The number of people living in extreme poverty peaked during the Covid pandemic, reaching 8.9 million, he said.

“We aim to utilise the diverse resources in the Coast region to create job opportunities, promote entrepreneurship, and improve the living standards of our people,” he said.

He added, “Our government supports initiatives that enhance sectors like tourism, agriculture, and trade while preserving the region’s natural beauty,” Mvurya said.

He was speaking on Wednesday during the official launch of the unwavering dedication and exceptional achievements of Compassion International and church partners in Kenya’s coastal region.

The event was held at Elim Church in Makupa, Mombasa.

Compassion is an American child sponsorship and Christian humanitarian aid organisation headquartered in Colorado, USA.

Compassion International has made a difference through the combined efforts of 466 churches in Kenya, with 120 located in the coastal region.

These churches are well-equipped to cater to the needs of children within their communities, with more than 34,000 children receiving support in the region and over 138,000 children throughout the country.

Mvurya said the partnership of Compassion International and local churches is an excellent step towards sustainable development, by empowering children out of the cycle of poverty.

This, he said, will enable the children to participate in and benefit from the economic transformation of the country. 

According to Mvurya, 26 per cent of Kenyan children under five are stunted.

“Undernutrition deprives them of normal growth and development, robbing them of their full potential,” he said.

He said collaboration with other organisations is a beacon of hope, demonstrating that transformational change is possible and achievable when diverse entities come together with a common purpose.

“Our local churches stepped in the values of empathy and service, with Compassion International, towards releasing children from poverty. It is remarkable that we, as the government, can join you to celebrate the great work done for our children,” he added.

Mvurya said every Kenyan citizen has the right to quality healthcare, education, clean water, and reliable infrastructure.

He added that security remains a top priority and they are committed to preserving peace and stability throughout the Coast region, and safeguarding its people.

“Our law enforcement agencies work tirelessly to combat crime, protect communities, families, and children, and foster an environment conducive to growth,” he said.

He added, “However, security is a shared responsibility, and I urge each one of you to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.”

The CS said they join the global community in combating existential threats to humanity through conflict, terrorism, poverty, exclusion, the triple planetary pollution crisis, biodiversity loss, and climate change.

Samuel Wambugu, the national director of Compassion International Kenya, said they will continue with their efforts working closely with different partners including the National and County governments to accomplish their mission of fighting poverty.

“We value the support and partnership of the government  in this journey. We are so far happy with the outcomes we see and call on more partners to join in,” Wambugu said.

Additionally, in response to the current global food crisis, the organisation has been supporting over 46,000 families with food packs, water and cash transfers to cater to their immediate needs.