Reforms will boost the three key pillars of Vision 2030

By Mugo Kibati

Kenya Vision 2030’ is the long-term development blueprint for the country. It is motivated by a collective aspiration for a better society by the year 2030.

The aim is to create "a globally competitive and prosperous country with a high quality of life by 2030". It aims to transform Kenya into "a newly-industrialised, middle-income country providing a high quality of life to all its citizens in a clean and secure environment".

The Vision is anchored on three key pillars: economic; social, and political governance. These pillars are buttressed by crosscutting foundations or enablers, which include infrastructural development, public sector reforms, and macro-economic stability.

The economic pillar aims to achieve an average economic growth rate of 10 per cent per annum by 2015 and sustaining that growth rate right through 2030. The social pillar seeks to create a just, cohesive and equitable society in a clean and secure environment. The political pillar aims to realise an issue-based, people-centred, result-oriented and accountable democratic system. Some of the objectives of the political pillar include constitutional reform, sovereignty of the people, gender equality, national values, goals and ideology, a Bill of Rights, a viable political party system, public participation in governance, separation of powers, and decentralisation/devolution.

The Proposed Constitution strongly supports the attainment of these goals as it clearly articulates and codifies the principles of national cohesion, leadership and governance, equitable resource allocation/distribution, and prudent management of public resources to achieve global competitiveness. A clear positive correlation exists between the delivery of the new constitution and the attainment of Vision 2030 goals; the achievement of Vision 2030 is dependent on the successful adoption and implementation of a new constitutional dispensation. The Proposed Constitution paves way for the political, economic and social reforms, which form the key pillars of the Vision.

The enactment and implementation of a new constitution by 2012 is the primary flagship project of the political pillar of Vision 2030. This was an acknowledgement of the fact that the implementation of Vision 2030 would need to be underpinned by a completely new national legal framework. An objective review of the Proposed Constitution leads to the conclusion that it provides that requisite legal framework necessary for the delivery of Vision 2030.

Kenya stands at the threshold of a major rebirth. Far too often, we have seen economic gains squandered by socio-political upheaval.

The referendum, which envisages far-reaching governance reforms, presents a uniquely opportune moment to finally put to rest the demons of socio-political instability. The de-politicisation of the Cabinet; the devolution of resources, and developmental priority setting; the robust checks and balances between the Executive, and Legislature; the judicial reforms; the comprehensive Bill of Rights (including socio-economic rights); the codifying of gender equity; and the entrenchment of property (including intellectual) rights are some of the elements of the Proposed Constitution that promise a new era of socioeconomic and political stability. One of the reasons for this stability would be the sense of empowerment that would arise out of decentralisation – where devolved funds would allow improved planning, prioritisation and co-ordination of projects at the local level. On balance, the Proposed Constitution aims at "adherence to the rule of law applicable to a modern, market-based economy in a human rights-respecting state" through the promotion of sustainable, fair, affordable and equitable access to justice. An endorsement, therefore, of the new laws would be an incredibly huge milestone in the journey towards achieving Vision 2030.

The Vision 2030 Delivery Secretariat appeals to all Kenyans to vote on August 4 and take ownership of our shared vision for a globally competitive and prosperous Nation.

—The author is the Director General of the Vision 2030 Delivery Secretariat