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Economic
Kenya’s economy has demonstrated resilience in the face of various challenges. Despite facing several headwinds, the economy has managed to weather the storm and show signs of stability. One of the factors that have contributed to Kenya’s resilience is its diversified economy. The country’s economic activities are spread across various sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, and services. This diversification has helped to cushion the economy from external shocks that may have affected specific sectors.
Kenya to set up economic zones in every county. Each of the 47 counties will set up an industrial park in its economic activity of specialization. The National Government has set aside more than Ksh 5 billion for the undertaking with each County set to receive Sh110 Million for that undertaking.
The Kenya Government also is also seeking to open the market for other players in the LPG industry and initiate government intervention to bring down the cost of gas cylinders to break the monopoly and dominance in the LPG business by only a handful of suppliers.
President Ruto recently launched the building of a re-filling plant in Dongo Kundu for liquefied petroleum gas. The plant worth Sh16.7 billion ($130.5 million) is owned by Taifa Gas, the largest LPG gas dealer in Tanzania. The President recently announced plans to reduce the cost of a 6kg gas cylinder to about Sh500 by June, largely through government subsidies.
U.S. Candidate for President of the World Bank Ajay Banga Visited Kenya on March 8 on the second stop of his global listening tour. He met President Ruto and other Kenyan leaders’ whey they exchanged views on how the World Bank can build on its strong and decades-long partnership with Kenya. Banga expressed admiration for Kenya’s success in developing renewable sources of energy. Banga also reiterated the critical importance of providing jobs, economic opportunity, and a good quality of life to young people in Kenya, Africa, and globally.
Security
President William Ruto’s National Security Advisor (NSA) Monica Juma will represent Kenya in this year’s Global Security Forum set to begin next week in Qatar’s Capital Doha. The three-day event which will take place from March 13-15 will focus on the compounding geopolitical crises that continues to threaten the world order.
The event will bring together participants from the security sector, and non-state actors, media and academia from across the globe. The conference themed Reshaping the Global Order will explore international approaches to conflict, crises, and cooperation.
The role of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), the evolution of global terrorism and emerging threats and violent far-right extremist networks and financing will also be discussed. The nexus between disinformation and terrorism will also be part of the high-level discussions.
Kenya is engaging her neighbors to rein in cross-border smuggling of illegal firearms that have been fueling violent conflicts and crimes in the region. The Interior Principal Secretary noted that the GoK has now reached out to Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Somalia with the intent of stepping up the joint efforts against the proliferation of small arms and light weapons among border and nomadic communities. Due to their easy availability and low cost, these are the weapons of choice for terrorists, insurgents, and criminal gangs in the Great Lakes Region and the Horn of Africa.
Northern Kenya lawmakers want military (KDF) to take full charge of security operation in the volatile counties. The police are currently leading the security operation in the region with the assistance of KDF officers and attacks on innocent people are still being reported even after the police and military launched a joint operation to eliminate banditry.
On the hand, terrorism incidents have significantly reduced in NEP Kenyan counties bordering Somalia courtesy of robust counter terrorism efforts. However, sightings and low-scale incidents continue to threaten the security of the frontier counties, destabilizing the way of life in those regions.
State has called on clerics to assist in the fight against terrorism. North Eastern Regional Commissioner, called on clerics in the area to work closely with the government in the fight against terrorism in an effort to better their lives of their followers. The commissioner underscored that clerics have a huge following and their word is taken seriously by the faithful and thus the need for them to preach peace to their followers. He noted that the role played by the clerics in our country cannot be overemphasized.
Clerics always are in touch with the masses and their words are taken seriously. With their huge following, they can tap on intelligence information and through that can, help security assets to foil anticipated attacks. Religious leaders should use their places of worship to preach against radicalization and violent extremism that has seen a number of young people lured into joining the Al-Shabaab terror group.
There have been fears from residents that sometimes intelligence reports from the public are leaked, exposing them to insurgents and thus with the collaboration of religious leaders, the residents can confidentially share information with their clerics and to authorities too.
Political
The political weather remains negative with opposition leader Raila Odinga threatening the country’s peace with his subversive sociopolitical adventures at a time when the country’s economy requires political stability to bolster investor confidence. There are fears that the opposition leader’s anti-government protests could dent the President’s global brand and also trigger an economic crisis if he resorts to street protests.
The Opposition chief who thrives in chaos according to political pundits had issued a number of ultimatums to the government. Raila has threatened that, if his demands are not met, he will be marshalling various groups and his grassroots political wing for mass action amid reports that there is an elaborate plan to lead his supporters to the State House.
