SEATTLE — Kenya has a mission to create a better country for its people. To accomplish this mission, the country has established a long-term development project called Kenya Vision 2030. This project started in 2008 and is expected to be completed by 2030.

The Vision

The vision of Kenya Vision 2030 is simple: to provide a higher quality of life for its citizens so they can feel comfortable in the environment they are living in. Kenya wants its people to be able to feed itself, to speak its mind through democracy, to have reliable and safe transportation, to increase employment and tourist traffic, to have quality hospital service for citizens and to advance in technology.

The Pillars

The government is honing in on the economic, social and political pillars. Each pillar will have a different impact on the country but will contribute to the greater solution of making the residents of the country feel secure in their environment.

The economic pillar includes seven sectors: infrastructure, tourism, agriculture, trade, manufacturing, business process and financial services. Through the better development of infrastructure, for instance, will come increased national power generation and more timely transportation through Standard Gauge Rail railways.

The social pillar focuses on human social welfare through education, health, environment, housing, social development, youth and sports. A recruitment of 28,000 teachers and reconstruction of schools for a more stable education sector is a goal to be accomplished. Additionally, the government would like to build 200,000 new housing units a year in order to expand the ability for residents to own their own homes.

The political pillar is solely focused on public sector reforms. The goal is to establish a more people-based and result-oriented governing system that provides higher levels of democracy. After 20 years of failed constitutional reform attempts, a new constitution was signed in 2010. This constitution allows the Kenyan government to work through the executive branch to eliminate corruption. Under this constitution are several other acts that will work towards more democratic involvement within the government.

The Projects

Each project expected to be completed within the time period of Kenya Vision 2030 is grouped into five-year Medium-Term Plans (MTP). The first MTP was completed between 2008 and 2012. Otherwise known as the Flagship Projects, each pillar was addressed and had specific lists of goals to be accomplished. Tourism, agriculture, governance and security, population and urbanization, employment, infrastructure and education were just some of the sectors that underwent development.

The second MTP, which began in 2013, will be completed at the end of this year. This plan will steer the economy in the right direction in order to reach an average 10 percent gross domestic product growth rate per annum. The plan is also to reduce poverty and inequality through the many social and political pillars.

If successful, Kenya Vision 2030 will create a more stable life for Kenyan citizens. Through the three pillars and the multiple projects in the pillars’ sectors, there is much work to be done in order to reach the overall goal. Through hard work over the remaining 13 years, the goal may just be achievable.

– Brianna Summ

Photo: Flickr