By Mwibanda
As the administration reaches its two-year mark, a closer examination reveals a striking contrast between the promises made and the realities achieved. The past two years have been marked by ambitious pledges aimed at transforming Kenya’s socio-economic landscape. Here’s a detailed look at how these commitments have fared:
1. Reduction in Unga Prices
Promise: Reduce the price of a 2kg packet of unga from KSh 130 to KSh 100.
Reality: While the administration promised to slash unga prices significantly to ease the cost of living, the actual impact has been less pronounced. Prices have remained volatile, with the hoped-for reduction not fully realized across the board. Various factors, including global supply chain issues and local production challenges, have contributed to the slow progress in achieving this goal.
2. Stabilization of the Kenyan Shilling
Promise: Stabilize the Kenyan shilling against the US dollar.
Reality: The Kenyan shilling has experienced fluctuations over the past two years. Although there have been efforts to stabilize the currency through various monetary policies, the shilling has continued to face pressure due to external debt and global economic conditions. The promised stabilization has thus been an ongoing challenge, with mixed results.
3. Completion of Kenol-Sagana Road
Promise: Complete the Kenol-Sagana road project.
Reality: The Kenol-Sagana road, a key infrastructure project, has seen significant progress, though it has not yet been fully completed. While portions of the road have been finished and are in use, delays and logistical issues have pushed back the expected completion date. The project remains a work in progress with ongoing construction efforts.
4. Affordable Housing Programme
Promise: Create 160,000 jobs through the affordable housing programme and complete 112,405 housing units.
Reality: The affordable housing initiative has made notable strides. To date, approximately 112,405 housing units have been completed, contributing to job creation in the sector. However, the total number of jobs created has fallen short of the target, with around 140,000 jobs reported, still short of the promised 160,000. The program has faced challenges such as funding constraints and logistical hurdles, impacting its overall reach.
5. Employment of 56,000 Teachers
Promise: Employ 56,000 new teachers.
Reality: The employment of 56,000 teachers has been a significant achievement. The initiative has helped address teacher shortages in various regions, enhancing the quality of education. Despite this progress, challenges remain in terms of resource allocation and balancing teacher-to-student ratios across different schools.
6. Streamlining the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC)
Promise: Streamline and effectively implement the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
Reality: The CBC has been rolled out with the intention of improving education standards by focusing on practical skills and competencies. However, the transition has faced criticism regarding implementation challenges and inconsistencies. Feedback from educators and parents has highlighted issues such as insufficient training and resource gaps, which have impacted the smooth integration of the new curriculum.
Conclusion
The past two years have been marked by both progress and setbacks. While some promises have seen significant achievements, others have faced hurdles and delays. As the administration continues to navigate these challenges, it will be crucial to address the gaps and build on the successes to ensure that the initial goals are met and sustained over time.
