Despite remaining among the countries with low human development, Kenya’s outstanding role in some areas has been recognized in the Human Development Report 2011 published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The report with the theme “Sustainability and Equity: A better Future for All” appreciates the country’s new constitution as one that recognizes equal rights to a healthy environment and promote equity.
“Kenya’s new constitution grants the right to a clean environment and requires the government to maintain its natural resources,” states a section of the report.
The report also notes the country’s efforts towards promoting a green economy and its continuous improvement in education and health sectors.
“The Ministry of Energy adopted a feed-in tariff in 2008 to supply and diversify electricity generation sources, generate income and employment and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The tariff covers biomass, geothermal, small hydroelectric, solar and wind power.”
According to the findings of the report presented by UNDP Resident Representative Mr. Aineas Chuma at a Nairobi hotel, extreme poverty has also declined in both Kenya and Nigeria and these advances are attributable in part to improvements in water, sanitation, health and other living standards.
Kenya which was ranked at position 143 out of the 187 countries in the study is the highest ranked in East Africa followed by Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi at positions (152, 161, 166 and 185) respectively.
In Africa Libya emerged as the best after occupying position 64 in the world, followed by Tunisia at position 94 featuring in the category of High Human Development countries while Algeria (96), Gabon (106), Egypt (113), Botswana (118), Namibia (120), South Africa (123), Morocco (130), Cape Verde (133), Ghana (135), Equatorial Guinea (136) and Swaziland (140) featured among the Medium Human Development countries.
Speaking while launching the report, Planning, National Development and Vision 2030 Assistant Minister Peter Kenneth said Kenya’s performance was wanting even though the country was ahead of her East Africa neighbors.
“We should not compare ourselves to other East African countries and feel that we are achieving something. The challenge for us is to compare ourselves with Norway and find out what is it they have done to be number one in the world and what Gabon has done to be number one in Sub-Saharan Africa,” said the minister.
He said for the country to realize her development goals the focus must be on fewer projects and priorities that have lasting impact on the citizenry rather than having many projects that have no benefit to Kenyans.
“Kenya is not short of good plans. What we seriously lack is alignment of funds for what Kenyans have planned and unless funds are availed our good plans like the Kenya Vision 2030 will just remain a vision,” Mr. Kenneth added.
The country’s human development challenges according to the minister go beyond simply increasing economic growth to addressing the existing social and economic inequalities.
“Development is a complex and difficult process. It is therefore, necessary to prioritize national issues according to their urgency, impact and implementability.”
He said the Government has identified various ways of eradicating challenges associated with sustainability and equity through the new constitution and other policy documents such as the Kenya Vision 2030 and its Medium Term Plan.
These measures include; provision of an enabling environment to facilitate the participation of all sections of the population in the production process through access to productive resources and opportunities, expansion of human capabilities by improving access to basic education, health, housing, water and sanitation, increasing access to employment opportunities for the rapidly expanding labour force and increasing people’s capacity to assert their rights.
The other strategies are; redefining the value of life in Kenya to increase respect for life and self-esteem in society, addressing the different forms of inequalities existing between regions and also addressing the problem of insecurity to enable increased investment and participation by a wider section of the society.
Overall, the 2011 Human Development Report notes that steady advances in human development in sub-Saharan Africa could stall and even reverse unless bold steps are taken to reduce environmental risks and inequalities in the region and around the world.
Human development according to UNDP’s definition is the expansion of people’s freedoms and capabilities to lead lives that they value and have reason to value.
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