Kenya’s Targeted Review Report on the Big Four Agenda was presented at the 2^nd Special Summit of the APR Forum of Heads of State and Government on 28th July 2022. The Report was presented by the APR Lead Panel Member Amb. Inonge Lewanika and peer reviewed by several Heads of State.

In attendance during the Summit were different Heads of State among them; H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, H.E. President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, H.E. President Julius Maada of Sierra Leone, H.E. President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and H.E. President Macky Sall of Senegal. Others were; H.E Moussa Faki the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Amb. Dr. Inonge Lewanika the Lead APR Panel person, Prof. Eddy Maloka Chief Executive Officer APRM Continental, Hon. Amb Ukur Yatani the Cabinet Secretary National Treasury and Planning, Amb. Dr Samori Okwiya the Chief Executive Officer NEPAD/APRM Kenya and Mr. Peter Kimemia Director APRM & Governance among others.

H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta, Cabinet Secretary National Treasury and Planning Hon. Amb. Ukur Yatani and Chief Executive Officer NEPAD/APRM Kenya Secretariat Amb. Dr Samori Okwiya following the summit from State House. 

Kenya’s Targeted Review Report focused on the Big 4 Agenda blueprint (Affordable Housing, Universal Healthcare, Manufacturing, Food Security and Nutrition) and cross-cutting issues which included Corruption, Youth Unemployment, Gender Inequality and Diversity Management. During the summit, the Heads of State applauded Kenya for its active participation in the APRM process, which has been beneficial to governance and economic transformation.  Consequently, the Heads of State commended the government’s tremendous effort in the manufacturing and housing sector, which is pivotal to innovation.

In his response to the Targeted Review Report, H.E. President Uhuru Kenyatta applauded Kenya for leading other APRM Member States and being the first country to be peer-reviewed by the Heads of State twice. The first review (base review) was done in 2006, and the second review (second generation) was done in 2017.

“Kenya was among the first countries to voluntarily accede to the APRM in 2003; and the third to submit to a comprehensive base review in 2006. Working together close to 20 years as peers under the APRM, our economies and societies have thrived and we have made major strides in the governance of our respective countries.”

Further, President Uhuru commended the recommendations made by the Lead Panel Member for Kenya Amb. Inonge Lewanika affirming that it will be put into effect for the benefit of Kenyans.

These recommendations are;

• Strengthen implementation and enforcement of legal and policy instruments in the manufacturing sector;
• increase budgetary allocation to health to approximate the Abuja target of 15% of total budget, with priority to primary health care;
• develop a structure and strategy for improving the country’s agricultural productivity and competitiveness;
• Make information about regulations easily accessible to MSMEs;
• lower the cost of electricity and promote access to quality, affordable and reliable energy; and
• streamline land matters such as high cost of land, orderly determination of land cases and transfer of titles for the housing programme.

The aforementioned recommendations will be an ingredient of the pursuit of Vision 2030 which will further provide the necessary approvals in the implementation of the country’s medium-term plans for 2023-2027

In conclusion, the Targeted Review Report has given a highlight of the gaps needed in enhancing good governance, strengthening efficient service delivery at all levels of government and an overview of performance in the Big Four Agenda Pillars.