The moment President Uhuru Kenyatta unveiled the Big Four Action plan for the nation, many were undoubtedly keen to note the progress detailed in the plan. The nation had just come through a tumultuous year dominated by politics and a shaky economy undoubtedly affected by the overriding aforementioned politics. The Big Four Action plan is set to cater for healthcare, manufacturing, affordable housing and food security. These are sectors that largely affect the growth, infrastructure and development of the nation.
The new year has promised much, even though the current economic setting doesn’t seem to carry a lot of weight in terms of promise. The plan seemed to cater for most of the demands, that will help to boost the economy and Kenyans’ living standards. The agenda seems to be the only optimistic deal in the offing right now. 2018 should be the first year that is meant to usher in other steps towards development. Affordable housing is already proving to be a problem to some people and if it is well catered for then the year and beyond will bode well for Kenyans. Manufacturing is also vital becaue of the creation of job opportunites, even President Kenyatta highlighted this point, knowing that the improvement of the manufacturing industry affects even the job industry.
Universal healthcare’s importance shouldn’t be understated given that the health was strained due to the dotors’ and nurses’ strikes, which paralyzed services. It made healthcare a wish that many couldn’t see fulfuilled as operations in hospitals and health facilities were affected. On the other hand, food security should also provide optimism for anyone who is keen on the nation’s economic and food sustainability. The drought that ravaged the nation early last year wasn’t expected to reach the level it reached, especially in some regions, where residents were forced to move to other regions, most notably in West Pokot. All these sectors if and when improved offer a glimpse of what life can be like in a developed nation. The targets are high but they should be used to provide optimism for not only this year, but after four years, if and when the government led by President Uhuru Kenyatta, if not, then it will just be another failed push to development and a rushed target to regional superiority.