Uhuru Makes 8 Interventions During Cabinet Meeting

During the Cabinet meeting, several approvals were made to policies touching on the national and county governments as well as parastatals, all aimed at cushioning Kenyans during the tough economic period.

The Cabinet approved eight policies, Bills and other strategic interventions that will be implemented with immediate effect. Here are the eight interventions.

1. Laikipia County Government to borrow Ksh1.16 billion through the issuance of a domestic Infrastructure Bond at a market-determined coupon.

The grant of approval was made in accordance with the procedures set out under the Public Finance Management Act (No. 18 of 2012).

The objective of the Infrastructure Bond is to finance the implementation of projects including the provision of water for agricultural production, and the improvement of the business environment by upgrading markets and town infrastructure; which will provide additional jobs to the residents of Laikipia and improve their household income and livelihoods.

1. National Youth Service: Cabinet approved the payment of the National Youth Service’s (NYS) historical pending bills.

2. Cabinet approved the Sale/Lease of the residential houses and commercial facilities developed under the Mavoko Sustainable Neighborhood Housing Programme Scheme and further granted approval for the proceeds of the sale to be channelled into the Kenya Slum Upgrading Low-Cost Housing and Infrastructure Trust Fund to support other slum upgrading initiatives.

3. Cabinet sanctioned a review of VAT and Certificate of Requirements on Tea and Coffee for both domestic and international markets. This was done to boost the leading cash crops such as Tea and Coffee, in particular.

The session also approved the Policy on Large Scale Commercialization of Public land held for Agricultural Production. The Policy seeks to provide a framework for the utilization of idle land owned by public institutions for large scale commercial agricultural production.

1. The Cabinet also approved the National Spectrum Policy which changes the framework for assignment and management of the radio frequency spectrum in Kenya. The policy is part of Jubilee’s administration agenda to further stimulate the continued growth of the communications sector. 

2. The session also approved the National Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Policy. The policy anchors the overarching framework of promoting fairness, equity, transparency, competitiveness, and cost-effectiveness in the procurement of goods, works, and services by public entities, thereby achieving greater value for money.

President Uhuru Kenyatta chairs a Cabinet meeting on Thursday, May 12, 2022.

PSCU

1. In regard to legal education and training, the Cabinet approved a proposal to decentralize the provision of the Advocates Training Programme (ATP) so as to address challenges occasioned by a large number of students undertaking the mandatory post-graduate programme only at the Kenya School of Law.

2. Further, the Cabinet approved the Kenya Population Policy for Sustainable Development which builds on the progress and lessons learnt in implementing past population policies while responding to new realities and challenges with respect to Kenya’s changing demographic trends.