President Uhuru talks tough on new projects, corruption

President Uhuru Kenyatta (PHOTO: PSCU)

NAIROBI, KENYA: President Uhuru Kenyatta has outlined government priorities in 2020/21 Financial Year talking tough on new projects and warning against corruption.

In a virtual meeting with senior ranks of the Executive that included Cabinet Secretaries, Chief Administrative Secretaries, and Principal Secretaries he said no new project should be initiated without his approval.

Uhuru said the government’s focus will be the implementation and completion of ongoing priority projects and programmes as set out in his administration's transformative agenda for the nation.  

He said the programs must be strictly implemented within set timelines and budgets. “I repeat that no new projects will be initiated except with my express authority,” the President said.

As a measure of accountability, he announced that the completion rate of projects and programmes will be adopted as a key performance indicator for all Cabinet Secretaries, Chief Administrative Secretaries, and Principal Secretaries.

He called for collective responsibility in the implementation of Government Projects and Programmes through the involvement of entire ministerial establishments (Cabinet Secretaries, Chief Administrative Secretaries, and Principal Secretaries), so as to ensure timely delivery of quality outcomes.

“Collective responsibility should be demonstrated by enhanced presence and visibility of government on the ground through inspection of projects and robust public engagements,” he said.

He acknowledged the current difficult economic environment occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic and reminded government departments to settle pending bills as a key priority and to ensure that pending bills is the first charge on each ministry’s budget.

In support of local industries, he said the government must walk the talk of Buy Kenya Build Kenya agenda and once again, directed all Ministries, State Departments and State Agencies to give preferential procurement to Kenyan made goods and services.

He warned the senior ranks of the executive against corruption saying there is no room for the vice in his administration.