Uhuru's ambitious state of the nation address

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President Uhuru Kenyatta has made his first state of the nation address for 2020 which details a seven point intent that is aimed at reviving the economy and improve the lives of Kenyans.

The President has pointed out at key milestones that his administration seeks to implement this year majorly focusing his attention on the economy, agriculture,health, the Building Bridges Initiative, fight against corruption and the entertainment sectors.

Economy
The President has said that his administration will seek to increase money circulation in the economy by saying that 70% of pending bills owed by the national and county governments had been paid by December 2019. He also said that the Sh 150 billion infrastructure bond will be released this year to ensure that all infrastructural projects in the country have been completed. The President said that 5 commercial banks have set aside Sh 10 billion to be let out to medium and small scale enterprises which will give loans of between Sh 30,000 to Sh 250,000 at an interest of 9% per annum. This he says will increase access to affordable credit for this major sector. The government will also open biashara centers across the country to ensure citizens get government services under one roof. One such center has been opened in Kariobangi, Nairobi.

Agriculture
The President detailed the policy programs that he will undertake to improve the struggling agricultural sector majorly on tea, Coffee,milk,maize and potatoes.
The President noted that tea and coffee farmers are facing low prices and delayed payments of their products which he says are caused by poor governance, conflict of interest by the KTDA and unscrupulous traders. In this regard, he has ordered for the restructuring of the tea body and called on the ministry of agriculture to ensure the operationalisation of the Tea Regulations 2019. The ministry has further been directed to immediately operationalise the Sh 3 billion Cherry fund to caution tea farmers against financial problems and improve access to credit.

 The President has said that Treasury will release Sh 500 million to New KCC to purchase excess milk from dairy farmers and convert the extra milk into milk powder which will caution farmers against smuggling of powdered milk. He added that a 16% VAT tax will be imposed on milk products coming from outside the EAC.
Further, Sh 575 million will be released to New KCC for 2 milk plants in Nyeri and Nyahururu to boost milk production.

Entertainment industry
The President directed the ICT ministry to work with key stakeholders in this industry to ensure genuine right holders are compensated for their works. He said that all content service providers will be eliminated and that all right holders must register with the National Rights Registry. "All payments of royalties will be channeled through the Kenya Copyright Board," he said. Public service vehicles, the hospitality industry and all broadcasters will now have to meet their obligations by paying tariffs and royalties to the body as a prerequisite to have their operating licences renewed.

National disasters
The government has set aside Sh 5.2 billion to provide relief food supplies,adress health concerns and reconstruct infrastructure destroyed by floods.

Health
The President directed the ministry of health to hault the implementation of the new fees to allow further consultation.

Corruption
"I will not back peddle nor be intimidated in the fight against corruption. I will not seek friendship with evildoers who rob citizens their hard earned sweat," said the President.
He challenged the Judiciary to give convictions on those accused of corruption. He noted that the fight against corruption was a success so far as it has acted as a deterrent to public servants who want to engage in corruption.
 The President directed the National Intelligence Service to undertake a review of all cartels in the budgeting and procurement departments and forward their names to the DCI for arrest and DPP for prosecution.

Building Bridges Initiative
"We must give ourselves a different political template. The aim of the BBI is to bring Kenyans together. The process must be inclusive and spell an end to ethnical profiling and winner takes it all. I'm not against anyone. I'm for the 47 million Kenyans," said the President.