Govt taking robust measures to eradicate poverty, Ruto says » Capital News
NAROK, Kenya, Mar 17 – The government is taking robust measures to eradicate poverty in the country, President William Ruto has said.
He said the government is keen on ensuring that no Kenyan is left behind as it rolls out the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
He cited job creation, increased food production and Universal Health Coverage as some of the key initiatives that will reduce poverty among Kenyans.
“When someone does not have a job and food, and cannot access affordable healthcare, that person is poor,” he said.
He made the remarks during a thanksgiving service for Tourism Principal Secretary John Olotuaa in Kilgoris, Narok County, on Sunday.
Present were First Lady Rachel Ruto, Narok Governor Patrick ole Ntutu, Cabinet Secretaries Alfred Mutua and Soipan Tuya, MPs and MCAs.
President Ruto said the government has steered the country away from the debt crisis that had slowed economic growth and stalled key development projects.
He said that over the past year, the government has focused on repaying huge debts, including the $2 billion Eurobond.
“We can now plan our development without the worry that our country will fall into the trap of debt distress,” he said.
President Ruto explained that the budget of the next financial year, that will soon be presented to Parliament, will allocate adequate funds to major development and transformative projects.
“We plan to allocate KSh120 billion for construction of roads in the next budget cycle,” he said.
The President also announced that the government has revived the last mile power programme that seeks to connect every Kenyan household to electricity.
On job creation, President Ruto said the country has secured one million jobs for the youth abroad under the Export of Labour Programme.
He added that the government will continue to create more jobs through the Affordable Housing Programme, digital jobs and Special Economic Zones.
The Head of State said the government is working with the counties to ensure that subsidised fertiliser reaches farmers at the grassroots.
“Our goal is to assist farmers to produce more, cash crops or food crops alike, to ensure food security,” he said.
On sugar growing, the President announced that the government will support farmers to produce more and thus reduce sugar imports into the country.
Sugar debts, the President said, had been written off and the next phase is to ensure proper management of the factories through a leasing programme that will prevent a return to the rot of the past.
President Ruto warned against clan and tribal divisions, saying these undermine national unity and transformation.
“We are putting efforts at uniting in the East African Community and making Africa a single market. It will be totally counterproductive to be engaged in clan and tribal divisions,” he said.
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