By Aoma Keziah,
Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura has outlined a wide range of national development projects being rolled out across the country, with a focus on the Coast Region, as part of the Kenya Kwanza administration’s economic agenda.
Speaking in Mombasa during a county tour for the final quarter of the 2024/2025 financial year, Mwaura said the government remains committed to reducing poverty and improving livelihoods through the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). The initiative, now in its second year, aims to ensure balanced development and expand economic opportunities, especially in rural and marginalized areas.
He noted that the government has continued its support for the Inua Jamii Cash Transfer Program, which provides monthly stipends of Kshs.2,000 to senior citizens over 70, orphans, and people with severe disabilities.
“ Last week, the government disbursed Kshs. 3.52 billion to over 1.7 million beneficiaries.This included: Kshs. 2.5 billion to 1.25 million elderly households, Kshs. 886.8 million to 443,000 orphaned and vulnerable children, Kshs. 127.2 million to 63,600 people with severe disabilities,” Mwaura stated.
He emphasized that the program has consistently met its payment obligations, helping recipients cover basic needs.
“ Agriculture has shown strong growth, expanding by 4.6% in 2024, according to the Economic Survey. The sector’s performance is largely tied to government efforts to lower the cost of farm inputs. The National Fertilizer Subsidy Program reduced fertilizer prices from Kshs. 6,500 in 2022 to Kshs. 2,500,” added Mwaura.
The government spokesperson also said that this led to better harvests, especially of staples like maize and beans, and helped reduce reliance on imports. Improved food production also contributed to lower inflation, which allowed the Central Bank to lower its base lending rate from 12.5% to 11.25% in December 2024.
On Trade and Tourism, Kenya’s merchandise trade grew to Kshs. 3.8 trillion in 2024, up 5.5% from the previous year. Export earnings rose by 10.4%, helping reduce the trade deficit.
“Tourism also saw strong recovery, with 2.39 million international visitors recorded in 2024, a 14.7% increase. Hotel occupancy, international conferences, and visits to cultural sites also went up, supported by government investment in infrastructure and marketing. Employment across the formal and informal sectors rose to 20.8 million in 2024, with tourism among the key contributors,” Mwaura explained
On reforms and new funding model, Mwaura said the government is implementing reforms in the education sector based on the recommendations of the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms. Learning areas in basic education have also been rationalized to reduce content overload.
“Enrollment in tertiary institutions has also risen significantly. However, funding challenges in public universities prompted a shift to a new funding model that combines scholarships, student loans, and household contributions, based on financial need. The model, first applied to the 2022 KCSE class, is designed to increase equity and sustainability in higher education,” he continued to say.
He also said that his visit heavily focused on the Coast Region, where dozens of government projects are either ongoing or nearing completion, including roads, bridges, affordable housing, water supply schemes, industrial parks, and tourism facilities.
Additionally, he reaffirmed that the government’s pledge to implement development across all regions.
“Every county is benefiting from national projects. We are here to ensure no community is left behind,” mwaura affirmed.
He concluded that the government will continue to monitor progress and engage with local communities to make sure the projects deliver real and lasting benefits.
Mt Kenya Times