President-Elect William Ruto manifesto “The Plan” has carried the day in the August 9, 2022 general election. The five year agenda promises economic abundance for Kenya until 2027.
Following his pronouncement as President-Elect by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairman Wafula Chebukati, Ruto quest to implement the Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda 2022 – 2027 now faces an uphill task towards economic recovery, in the wake of high inflation, rising debt, hunger and a business environment recovering from COVID-19 pandemic.
Should his victory remain unchallenged at the Supreme Court of Kenya, then the President-Elect with his plan which was termed too detailed by various camps, will have to push the country into economic stability by all means, a wheelbarrow included.
“It is most disconcerting that, even when the consequences of economic exclusion are so glaring, and the threat so palpable, many well-to-do people’s response to our bottom up economics platform is to pour scorn on the idea of empowering wheelbarrow pushers,” he said in the manifesto.
With the current high cost of living that has seen the rate of inflation rise to 8.3pc, the new administration is expected to implement a raft of policies that will ease prices of key commodities such as maize flour, bread, fertilizer and fuel in near term.
In a bid to cushion vulnerable households, the government has been forced to release subsidies on fuel and fertiliser, with the latest being Ksh 8 billion to reduce the cost of maize flour from Ksh 205 to Ksh 100. The subsidy is expected to end in August.
When asked what his first priority will be during his first interview with the press, Ruto said he intends to address the situation as soon as he is sworn in.
“I am acutely aware of the situation where we are as a country. I am aware of the cost of living, I am aware of with the situation of young people of our country,” he stated.
He went on, “I am preparing myself that on day one of swearing in as President when I have legal powers to do things, I have lined up a couple of executive orders on what I intend to do to get the country moving and to get the situation in the country under control.”
The high cost of food has been attributed to drought, Covid related logistical challenges and the prevailing war in Ukraine which has disrupted grain supply chain.
The Plan intends to inject Ksh 250 billion into improving the agriculture sector within five years and another Ksh 250 billion for the the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises as an avenue for job creation.
However, the new administration comes in amid revenue boost which if maintained should ease debt repayment pressures.
According to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), tax collection for the first time crossed the 2 trillion mark with a total collection of Ksh 2.031 trillion in the financial year 2021/2022 against a final target of Ksh 1.976 trillion.
The Kenya Kwanza intends to prioritize agriculture, MSMEs, housing and settlement, healthcare and digital superhighway and creative economy.
