Speech by Rita Kavashe, Vision Delivery Board Member, at the Vision 2030 CEO’s Forum 2018

DELIVERED BY VISION DELIVERY BOARD DIRECTOR RITA KAVASHE DURING THE VISION 2030 CEO’s FORUM HELD ON MAY 25, 2018 AT WHITESANDS HOTEL, MOMBASA.

Principal Secretaries
Chairman, Vision Delivery Board
CEO’s of the State Agencies
Members of the Fourth Estate,
Ladies and Gentlemen, all protocols observed:-

I take this opportunity to welcome you all for this session which among other things will come up with recommendations for the identified challenges that were obstacles in the day to day implementation of the Kenya Vision 2030 blueprint in the Second Medium Term Plans.

As we gather here today to collaborate with line ministries and private sector in tracking the implementation of Vision 2030 and its Medium Term Plans (MTP), I am proud to note that we are on track in laying a solid foundation for the attainment of Vision 2030 in the next 12 years.

Whereas Vision 2030 has gained transformative progress and significant achievements made under MTP I and part of MTP II, there are challenges that have been an impediment to this success which require a consultative and stakeholder based approach to be addressed, as we get into MTP III. Some of these challenges include;

1. Limited coordination in the implementation of flagship projects by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
2. Inadequate funding of flagship projects due to over-reliance on the National Treasury by MDAs for funding.
3. Lengthy procurement processes and litigation process on tender awards.
4. Land issues and in particular compensation of communities where Vision 2030 projects are located.
5. Slow development of policies by MDAs and enactment of laws by National Assembly and the Senate as well as un-necessary debates between the National Assembly and the Senate on policies and laws affecting flagship projects.
6. Limited ownership of Vision 2030 by all citizens and in particular the rural population and also limited appreciation of the benefits of Vision 2030 flagship projects.

Challenges or not, to the people of Kenya, what will matter most is the delivery of services promised to them by the government in support by other players in the private sector, that will be facilitated by the MTP III and the annual budgets. The second MTP will be successful if that objective is met, and that is the government’s intention.

As we take stock of our country’s achievements implemented under the MTP II whole-hearted tributes must go to every Kenyan, Government agency, Private Sector, International Community whose concerted efforts played a role in ensuring that this Vision remains firmly on schedule.

While we have made commendable achievements towards realizing the development objectives we have set for ourselves, we nonetheless still have a long way to go in fully realizing our dream. There is still a need to rally the nation behind Vision 2030 and facilitate implementation of the Third Medium Term Plan by all Government ministries, state agencies and regulators, the Judiciary, Parliament, Independent Commissions, the Private Sector, Bilateral and Multilateral Development Partners, Civil Society and Faith-based Organizations.

At the end of the day the expectation of this consultative forum with CEOs should be able to set remedies and unlock bottlenecks related to among other interventions; integrating the government approach in project delivery; establishing alternative sources of funding for flagship projects and working with institutions undertaking flagship projects to appraise each implementation progress.

Thank you.