As media audits what the Jubilee Coalition Government has achieved in the last 100 days, the President reassured that the journey of fulfilling the promises made and delivering value to the Kenyan people has begun in earnest.
“We are laying the foundation for transforming our nation. We are on track to delivering on our promises and faithfully implementing the Constitution that the people of Kenya passed three years ago,” the president said.
In this connection, the president said his government will endeavour to ensure food security, water provision, enhanced security, infrastructural connectivity and employment creation.
On provision of electricity to Kenyans, President Kenyatta said the government has embarked on a mission to connect all primary schools to the national grid in a Sh15 billion project.
“This will enable a success of the 17 billion shilling laptop project.
Also benefitting from these interventions are the computer laboratories that we are going to have in all our schools for use by all students,” President Kenyatta said.
He added that electricity in the primary schools will also benefit local communities who will be empowered to grow their small scale businesses as millions of homes are connected to electricity.
As part of its promise, the President said the government has set aside funds to employ 10,000 teachers.
President Kenyatta said the process of promoting teachers who have stagnated for years will also be fast-tracked while a medical cover scheme under the NHIF is being introduced.
He said the welfare of the country’s teachers will also be improved in line with economic realities while still maintaining a public wage bill that is sustainable now and in the coming years.
The president explained the Editors’ Guild breakfast meeting is part of his government’s outreach to various stakeholders in the economic, political and social scene.
We are laying the foundation for transforming our nation. We are on track to delivering on our promises and faithfully implementing the Constitution that the people of Kenya passed three years ago, the president said.
“It provides an opportunity and avenue to share the progress we are making as a country and our views on the way forward. Today’s gathering should be a candid forum through which we identify what issues the government have regarding media, and you raise what concerns you have on government in relation to your work,” the president said.
He appealed to the media to partner with the government in propagating good road manners, social etiquette, campaign against alcohol and drug abuse and in reminding Kenyans that they were brought together by God.
“You can also say no to the dissemination of negative vices on our media. Let us say no to vulgar talk on our radio stations and lurid scenes on our TV stations. Let us say no to hate speech that has often found its way via social media. This is a partnership not for media or Government but for the country,” the president said.
In this connection, President Kenyatta directed the Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Cabinet Secretary to urgently establish a national press centre that will be equipped by the Government for the media to operate in freely.
On his part, Deputy President William Ruto welcomed the interaction with the media fraternity, saying the move will boost the Government’s efforts to promote openness, transparency and accountability.
Echoing the president sentiments, the deputy president said the government has no intention of muzzling the media.
The Deputy President encouraged the media not to shy away from engaging the government on national issues frequently.
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