KENYA COUNTRY REPORT

By

Ruth Kitonyi andPhilemon Odidi Agulo

KENYA IN PHOTOS

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT KENYA

Area and Location

Kenya is located in the eastern part of Africa and boarders the Indian Ocean to the South Eastern part. It has a total area of 582,646 Km2 of which 11,230 Km2 is water. National Parks occupy 25,334 Km2.

Location and Area

Kenya is located in the eastern part of Africa and boarders the Indian Ocean to the South Eastern part. It has a total area of 582,646 Km2 of which 11,230 Km2 is water. National Parks occupy 25,334 Km2.

Area

Land 546,082 Km2

Water 11,230 Km2

National Parks 25,334 Km2

Total 582,646 Km2

The country is divided into 8 provinces which are in turn sub-divided into districts. The eight provinces are Nairobi, Central, Rift Valley, Eastern, Coast, North Eastern, Western and Nyanza Provinces.

Political SystemKenya is a republic with the President as Head of State and Head of Government. Currently there is a coalition government in place formed from the three main political parties PNU, ODM and ODM-K which participated in the last general elections in 2007.

The results of the elections were disputed culminating to some violence that necessitated international intervention. In the existing coalition arrangement, the position of a Prime Minister was created and the head of the main opposition party (ODM) that also had the largest number of members in parliament was appointed to the position.

Kenya is divided in to 210 constituencies each with a member of parliament. There is a constitutional review process in place that may increase the number of constituencies and change the system of government.

Population

The population census for 1999 put the country’s population at about 28.7 million (14.2 m males and 14.5 m females). Previous censuses conducted in 1969, 1979 and 1989 gave Kenya’s population as 10.9, 15.3 and 21.4 million respectively.

A population and housing census was conducted last year 2009 but the results have not been released yet but it is projected that the population is about 36.5 million currently. The population density for the country is 67 persons per Km2 but there are regional variations depending on land potential for agricultural activities.

Main Foreign Exchange Earners

Kenya is agricultural country and meets much of its food requirement from agriculture and livestock activities. The main exports are tea and coffee which bring in foreign exchange but in the recent past tourism has become the largest foreign exchange earner for Kenya.

PovertyThe poverty level in Kenya is currently 46% meaning out of every 100 people 46 live with less than one dollar per day. The “Geographic Dimensions of Well-Being in Kenya,” a report by Central Bureau of Statistics (2003) shows variations in poverty levels within different regions of the country. Poverty levels ranged from 21.9% for Kiambu District to 72% in Kilifi District. The national poverty level as per the report was 54%. In general poverty levels have declined over the years with the national level now standing at 46%. A lot still needs to be done to eradicate disparities in development in the country.

Rural Poverty Estimates For Kenya's Provinces

PROVINCE Percent of Individuals below Poverty Line

Poverty Gap as Percent of Poverty Line

Number of Individuals from 1999 census*

Estimated Number of Poor Individuals

Central 31.05 9.463,223,

7721,001,08

7

Coast 61.33 24.341,568,

365 961,817

Eastern 58.16 21.654,232,

7342,461,93

0

Nyanza 63.82 24.703,825,

6972,441,70

2

Rift Valley 47.60 17.105,751,

1142,737,70

3

Western 59.78 22.593,016,

1461,802,98

9

INTERVENTIONS FOR INCOME GENERATION AND POVERTY REDUCTION

The key policy spelling Kenya’s long term development strategy is the Kenya Vision 2030 that was launched last year. Successful implementation of its forerunner, the Economic Recovery Strategy for Wealth and Employment Creation (ERS) from 2003 enabled the economy to recover from 0.5% in 2002 to 6.1% in 2006 and to 7% in 2007.

• The implementation of the vision is expected to spur economic growth to 10% and sustain it at that level for the next 20 years.

• The first phase of the implementation of the Kenya Vision 2030 is through the first Medium Term Plan (MTP) 2008-2012.

Main focus areas of the first Medium Term Plan (MTP) 2008-2012

• Implementation of the 2030 Vision Flagship Projects.

• Programmes and projects on MDGs such as eradication of poverty, hunger and universal primary education.

• Employment creation through increased investment and through special youth employment programmes such as construction of labour intensive roads and afforestation projects.

• Poverty reduction from the current 46% to 28%.

• Raising the levels of investments from 17% of GDP to 30% of GDP.

• Equitable development in all regions of the country.

• Addressing the issue of gender balance in all national initiatives and programmes.

The government through the social protection initiatives has initiated cash transfer programme targeting the aged vulnerable households taking care of orphans. These programmes were started in a pilot basis but are now in the process of being up-scaled. Other stakeholders that have supported the social protection programme include UNICEF and DANIDA.

Another poverty reduction intervention by the government can be seen through the intervention of free primary education (FPE) and free secondary day schools.

Devolved FundsThe government has also devolved a lot of financial resources to the constituencies as a way of ensuring equitable development across the country as well as empowering communities to take charge of their development agenda. The establishment of constituency development fund (CDF) has seen the implementation of a number of projects by communities. Other resources that have been devolved to the constituencies include: - Constituency bursary fund, constituency roads fund, local authority transfer fund (LATF), constituency HIV/AIDS fund and rural electrification fund.

Funding to groups involved agriculture and livestock development projects has also been given through government programme known as Njaa Marafuku a Kiswahili phrase that translates to eradication of hunger.

Youth Enterprise Fund

  This is support to youth groups given through the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in the form of loan for the investment in enterprises by youth groups.

 

Women Enterprise Fund

  This is similar to the Youth Enterprise Fund but targets women groups and is channeled through the Ministry of Gender

 

Poverty Eradication Commission

The government has also set up the Poverty Eradication Commission which is represented at district level by the District Poverty Eradication Committees (DPECs). The district poverty eradication committees support groups with funds in the form of revolving loans.

Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP)

The government also through Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) which is a high impact intensive programme expects to stimulate economic activity at the local level by creating employment opportunities, spurring entrepreneurial activities and supporting health and education.

ESP ProjectsEducation • Reconstruct (upgrade) two primary schools in each

constituency -with water harvesting facilities • Reconstruct to upgrade to National to National school

level (Centres of Excellence) one secondary school in each constituency

• Recruit 50 primary school teachers per constituency under a 3 year contract at Kshs. 10.000/ per month

• Recruit 10 secondary school teachers per constituency under a 3 year contract at Kshs. 14.000/ per month

• Establish a Kshs. 60,000 tree fund for 20 primary schools in each constituency.

Information and Comm unication• Purchase 1 mobile digital laboratory for secondary

schools per constituency

Public Health & Sanitation• Construct 1 maternity, children ward plus admission

office in 200 constituencies• Recruit 20 nurses under a 3 year contract at KShs.

13,000 for each constituency for preventive healthcare• Purchase 5 motorcycles for preventive health services

for each constituency• Purchase 20 bicycles to community health workers• Provide Medical Kits for all health facilities

Fisheries Development• Construct 200 fish ponds in 140 constituencies for fish

farming at a cost of KShs. 40,000Local Government• Construct a prototype fresh produce and wholesale

market in 180 constituenciesIndustrialization• Construct 1 jua kali shed in each constituency • Purchase welding and fabrication equipment for jua

kali sheds in each constituencyAgriculture, Water and Irrigation Regional

development and Youth Affairs • Multi -purpose regional development Water and

with initial rice/maize production at Bura, Hola, Pekera, Tana Regional Delta, Kibwezi, Ahero, West Kano.

BEST PRACTICES

Formation of Committees

• The different poverty eradication initiatives are managed by committees formed at local levels. For instance there are Constituency Development Fund Committees (CDFC).

Constituency Roads Committees, and Constituency Bursary Committees e.t.c. Any decision on funding is made based on minutes of meetings of the relevant committees.

Consultations with the Community

• Decisions on projects and funding are made in consultations with the community members.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• The community members or their representatives are involved in the monitoring of the projects.

PROBLEMS, OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

• The main challenges are the criteria of the appointment of the CDFCs which is done solely by the Member of Parliament. This brings questions of impartiality in decision making.

• Other challenges include political interference, mismanagement of resources by the committee members, corruption and disregard of laid down procurement laws and regulations during implementation of projects.

ASANTENI SANA!