By Samuel Ouma
President William Ruto emphasised the implementation of critical development programs aimed at achieving a significant economic transformation.
He said the government’s commitment is to promote inclusive growth and prosperity, particularly for citizens at the grassroots level.
President Ruto stated that the Fourth Medium Term Plan 2023-2027 and the County Integrated Development Plans align with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda priorities.
“The Fourth Medium Term Plan has translated the strategic objectives set out in our agenda into concrete programmes and projects to be implemented in the period,” he said.
President Ruto spoke at the Fourth Medium Term Plan 2023-2027 launch at State House in Nairobi, a phase of Kenya Vision 2030, the country’s development blueprint.
He outlined the various sectors targeted for development over the next four years. These include increasing production through value chains, promoting agro-processing, improving agricultural financing, and investing in Special Economic Zones and industrial parks to generate jobs.
The Kenyan leader stated that emphasis will be placed on promoting agro-processing, strengthening extension services, and providing high-quality farm inputs at affordable prices.
“We will also focus on cooperative development and management, market access and logistics support, expansion of irrigation infrastructure, adoption of climate-smart agriculture, enhanced agricultural financing, and agricultural mechanisation research and development,” he said.
To create jobs, Ruto said his government invests in special economic zones, county aggregation, and industrial parks, diversifies export markets, and facilitates market access to micro, small, and medium enterprises’ goods and services.
He said the Government will leverage science and technology to optimise its operations and create efficiencies.
“We undertake to mobilise funding for research and development, and enhance budgetary allocations to the sector towards the attainment of 2% of GDP in line with international standards,” he said.
