OPINION: 2023 set the foundation, 2024 holds the sight of a happy Kenya

As the curtains gracefully descend on the stage of 2023, Kenya’s development fortunes stand at a pivotal moment.

The year folds as a tapestry meticulously woven with threads of economic activities, charm offensive diplomatic engagements on the global stage, high-octane exchange at the domestic level, and unwavering hope that whispers a relentless determination for a New Kenya by the citizens.

In the intricate ballet of global currencies, the Kenyan shilling endured a significant blow against the dollar, resulting from soaring public debt, insatiable looting by the handshake regime, and protracted armed conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

This economic ripple, culminating in a disheartening depreciation of 155 shillings per dollar by December 2023, cast a formidable shadow over the nation's economic stability. Yet, amid the financial upheaval, a tenacious spirit of resilience emerged with Kenyans increasing their agricultural ventures, which led to a significant reduction in food prices. ‎

Upon assuming the highest office on the land, President William Ruto, faced with the daunting mountain of a debt crisis, embarked on a herculean task of stopping further digging of public debt hope and breathing life back into the Kenyan economy.

The Bottom-Up Economic Model, the lodestar of his administration, promised a seismic shift away from trickle-down economics towards empowering individual livelihoods, nurturing prosperity from the grassroots.

Time stands poised as the ultimate arbiter of its success. Yet, its inception resonates with the subtle echoes of a future where opportunity transcends the hallowed gates of privilege and geographic location.

This economic paradigm shift, crystallized by the UDA government, seeks to empower and nurture micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). By November 2023, the Hustler Fund, a vital cog in realizing the bottom-up economic shift, had disbursed over Ksh.41 billion to more than 22 million Kenyans, breathing life into micro-entrepreneurs nationwide. Moreover, a competitive advantage Hustler Fund offers citizens is that it has mainstreamed over 7 million Kenyans previously listed on CRB and are now credit-worthy.

These deliverables draw one fact: hope stretches beyond the confines of economic pledges and political transitions to manifest in the ethereal realm of innovation and strategic thinking by top leadership. Acknowledging the transformative power of technology, Kenya embraced the digital revolution.

Initiatives such as Digital Government Services christened “Gava Mkononi” (government at your fingertips), ushered in an era where over 5,000 government services are accessible online, eradicating inefficiency, corruption, wastage, and discrimination that often lurk in human interactions.

A robust tech ecosystem in the public sector and enabling the high tech-savvy generation shall propel Kenya toward a future where technology intelligence becomes a tool for forecasting national development priorities and identifying new opportunities.

In confronting the looming spectre of climate change, Kenya, cognizant of its vulnerability to environmental threats, embraced climate-smart agriculture and proactively championed restructuring of climate change financing at the highest level of decision-making organs of the world.

President Ruto's September 2023 launching of the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP) 2023-2027, Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) 2022-2050, and Climate Change Act (Amendment 2023) underscore commitments that whisper of a future where environmental consciousness guides economic growth, ushering in a harmonious balance between humanity and nature.

On the diplomatic front, President William Ruto, as the chief executor of Kenya's foreign policy, has focused on courting new partners while maintaining the traditional allies.

The gracious hosting of many dignitaries, particularly Presidents, prime ministers, and heads of intergovernmental organizations, speaks volumes to the strategic foreign relations as espoused in the UDA manifesto.

Significant events included the signing of the EU-Kenya economic partnership agreement, visit of King Charles of Britain, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, World Trade Organisation (WTO) Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala among others, hosting of the African Climate Summit and Africa Youth summit.

These high-level engagements underscore Kenya's unwavering commitment to find its rightful seat among the community of nations and international cooperation in addressing pressing global issues.

This level of goodwill transcends traditional diplomatic channels or even lobbying but displays international recognition of Kenya's relevance to assist in navigating global challenges.

Through these diverse engagements, Kenya gets an opportunity to structure new trade and investment partners and showcase the capacity of its human capital.

Hope, akin to a phoenix, rises from the vibrant variety of Kenya's cultural life. Once relegated to the periphery, the arts now find fertile ground in a government devoted to their support by the specially created Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Creative Economy.

Content creation, fueled by the boundless creativity of young component of our population, burgeons into a formidable industry, projecting Kenya's distinctive voice onto the global stage.

President William Ruto had direct talks with TikTok CEO Mr Shou Zi Chew, which led the Chinese digital company to concentrate on setting its Africa offices in Nairobi and displaying the support of creative and digital actors at the highest level of governance.

Sports, another cornerstone of national pride, command renewed attention, promising to nurture nascent talents—as witnessed in the Harambee Stars under 18 during the recently concluded Cecafa under 18 championships in Kakamega and Kisumu—while instilling values of discipline and teamwork in generations to come.

The increased token prices by the state for world champions have Kenyan athletes breaking numerous records in the year 2023.

Finally, pursuing a New Kenya remains incomplete without confronting the ominous spectre of insecurity. The government's relentless endeavours to combat crime, fortify law enforcement, and address root causes, particularly in the North Rift and Lamu county, proffer a sight of hope for a future where Kenyans can savour the freedom of movement without fear, where peace reigns, and where communities flourish in the reassuring warmth of security.

As we gently close the chapter on 2023, Kenya confronts visible challenges; the lingering economic scars of the previous administration, the intricate complexities of a world-shaped competing identities, and the influence of Breton institutions. Yet, amidst the shadows, hope ignites a brilliant flame.

It resonates in the resilience of a nation ardently committed to rebuilding its economy, the courage of those forging a new political trajectory, the spark of innovation illuminating the path to a digital future, the dedication to environmental stewardship, the vivacity of cultural expression, and the unyielding pursuit of a secure and prosperous future for all Kenyans.

From a vantage point, the UDA administration approached 2023 as the year of setting the foundation of The New Kenya; 2024 holds the sight of a happy and proud Kenya.

As we embark on this collective journey, we must be guided by an unwavering belief in the promise of a brighter year 2024, erected upon the steadfast stones of resilience, hope, and unwavering determination. I wish you and your families happy holidays and a year 2024 full of abundance.

Maina Karobia is Member of Parliament East African Legislative Assembly, EALA