Kenya, a country on the East African coast, has a population of around 56.4 million, where around 39% of the population lives below the national poverty line. The Kenyan government has recently made a pledge toward Kenya Vision 2030, which prioritises meeting its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as working toward eradicating extreme poverty by turning Kenya into a middle-income country. These frameworks aim to promote long-term development while focusing on different “pillars of action”: economic empowerment, social protection, access to basic services, inclusive governance and environmental sustainability. Here are 5 ways Kenya is reducing Poverty: 

Social Protection Programs

As part of Kenya Vision 2030, social protection programs have been pushed to be implemented as a solution to rising poverty and inequalities (SDG 1 and 10). For instance, the Inua Jamii Programme transfers cash to vulnerable people, like orphans, the elderly and people with disabilities. Since 2018, the initiative has spent more than $230,000 per year helping the people of Kenya stay out of poverty. In Kenya, around 80% of its land is classed as arid and semi-arid (ASAL), meaning the amount of rainfall the regions receive annually is little to none.

The Hunger Safety Net Program (HSNP) helps provide regular cash transfers to these dry regions, which struggle to grow crops. Approximately, this program has helped stop almost 800,000 people from going hungry despite their agricultural limitations. These programs are all part of the National Safety Net Program (NSNP), which funds and promotes these various frameworks in hopes of improving the efficiency and reach of these initiatives. The NSNP is vital in helping Kenya reduce poverty across its lands.

Agricultural Transformation

Agriculture largely remains the backbone of Kenya’s economy, employing around 70% of the rural population. Under the Big Four Agenda, a presidential initiative first launched in 2017, food security is a large area of focus. The government began to promote the leasing and sales of agricultural equipment to enable farmers to have access to otherwise expensive equipment.

Similarly, the implementation of more support for those in agriculture allows for a more stable income. These acts are crucial to achieving zero hunger and decent work and economic growth (SDG 2 and 8) in aid of Kenya reducing poverty while also advancing Vision 2030’s goal of a stable and growing economy.

Universal Health Coverage

Kenya’s recent push toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is transforming access to health care across the country. The expansion of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), which now includes access for informal sector workers and vulnerable groups, is part of this shift. Community health volunteers (CHVs) are beginning to play a key role in delivering primary care at the lower grassroots levels of society.

Pilot programs in counties like Kisumu and Nyeri have proven the potential of UHC to reduce unnecessary expenses and improve health outcomes. These initiatives help support good health and well-being (SDG 3) and promote equitable health care as part of Kenya Vision 2030.

Education Access Equity

Education reforms are expanding across Kenya, improving access and quality of teaching. Free primary and subsidised secondary education have increased enrolment rates, while school feeding programs in marginalised areas have been shown to enhance attendance and nutrition amongst the children. Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions are equipping youth with market-relevant skills for the wider world. Digital literacy programs like Ajira Digital and the Presidential DigiTalent Program are aiming to prepare young Kenyans for the future of work, like learning key skills of data entry or transcription. These efforts are instrumental for quality education (SDG 4) to be achieved, as well as promoting Kenya Vision 2030’s focus on human capital development; these factors reflect Kenya’s reduction in poverty as well as a sense of changing hope for the new generations to come.

Youth Employment and Skills Development

Youth employment is a huge priority for the Kenyan government, with over 75% of its population being under 35. Programs like the Kenya Youth Employment Opportunities Project (KYEOP) offer training opportunities, internships and business grants. The project has helped more than 145,000 Kenyans participate in its programs, with around 125,000 direct jobs being created. It has promoted a 50% increase in wages for its beneficiaries and allowed the employment rate to rise to around 85% among its participants.

Looking Ahead

Overall, Kenya has made significant progress toward its SDGs, helping improve Kenyan livelihoods every day. Its poverty reduction strategy is bold and inclusive; however, challenges like the changing climate and urban poverty remain. Nonetheless, Kenya is reducing poverty levels and showing ongoing reform and innovation, offering hope for the future. As the country moves toward 2030, its vision remains clear for the future of its citizens.

– Megan Burrows

Megan is based in Birmingham, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr