NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 12 — Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has warned that frequent changes to government policies could undermine Kenya’s development, urging the country to shield long-term programmes from political interference and focus on building a sustainable national agenda.

📻 Breaking It Down

Kindiki said Kenya has the potential to join the ranks of wealthy and developed nations if it embraces effective leadership, maintains policy consistency and avoids turning development programmes into political contests.

“I believe that Kenya is able to get into the league of wealthy and developed countries. We only need good leadership. It is possible,” Kindiki said.

He urged Kenyans to look beyond election cycles and support policies and programmes that advance the national interest.

📌 What You Need to Know

“Let us not politicise the development of our country,” he said.

The Deputy President said the economy had stabilised under President William Ruto’s administration, citing inflation of below six per cent and increased foreign investment.

He said Kenya attracted $3.2 billion in foreign direct investment last year, describing it as the highest level in the country’s history, according to data from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

Kindiki also cited a reduction in the Central Bank lending rate to commercial banks from 13.5 per cent to 8.75 per cent, saying this had lowered government borrowing costs while creating greater room for private-sector lending.

On agriculture, Kindiki said the government had registered 7.2 million farmers, creating a database intended to improve planning for agricultural production, inputs and markets.

He said maize production had risen from 44 million bags in 2022 to 75 million bags last year, while the price of a two-kilogramme packet of maize flour had dropped from about Sh250 to between Sh140 and Sh150.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya