Kippra celebrates open day and Kenya@60
The National Treasury and Economic Planning Cabinet Secretary, Prof. Njuguna Ndung’u joined the KIPPRA fraternity to celebrate KIPPRA’s Open Day and Kenya @60 at the Kenya School of Government on 24/11/23. In an event themed Kenya @60: Accelerating the National Development Agenda through Public Policy, the Cabinet Secretary noted that KIPPRA plays an important role in providing the analytical capacity to support evidence-based policy making and execution of National Development Plans.
Prof. Njuguna stated that as an alumni of KIPPRA, they worked hard to ensure the institution was a well- respected Public Policy research institute, a notable achievement being the development of KIPPRA-Treasury Macro Model which plays a critical role in supporting forecasting and the planning in budget process.
The CS observed that KIPPRA was part of the team that supported the National Treasury in development of the report on “The Cost of Hunger: The Social and Economic impact of child undernutrition in Kenya,” COHA an African Union Commission led initiative through which countries estimate the social and economic impact of child undernutrition. Prof. Njuguna reiterated that Kenya is among the 23 African countries that have undertaken the COHA study.
Meanwhile, KIPPRA is part of the ongoing tax reform work being spearheaded by National Treasury that includes research on public revenue collection excise tax, VAT system, income tax and tax compliance whose findings are expected to inform the Finance Bill, 2024.
The CS acknowledged the need to celebrate KIPPRA’s contribution to the National development goals through capacity building, policy research and analysis and providing such platforms for policy engagement.
Prof. Njuguna praised KIPPRA for her patriotism for organizing an event to celebrate 60 years of Kenya’s Independence. He stated that since independence the country has made significant progress in coping with different economic conditions through various policy regimes adopted by the government as focused by Sessional Paper No. 10 of 1965 on “African Socialism and all its application to Kenya”: Sessional Paper No. 1 of 1986 on Economic management for renewed growth; Economic Recovery strategy for wealth and employment creation 2003-2007 and the Kenya Vision 2030.
The Vision 2030 provides a strong policy commitment of longer periods of policy clarity with one of the most notable achievement being the increase of Gross Domestic Product by approximately ten folds from 1.3 trillion in 2002 to Kshs.13.4 trillion in first quarter of 2023. GDP per capita has risen from Sh.27000 to 264,076 in the first quarter of 2023.
Moreover, poverty levels remain high measurably the proportion of the population below the poverty line. The Covid-19 pandemic and prolonged drought in 2021 has pushed more Kenyans to poverty pushing the rates to 38.0 per cent. Kenyans at the bottom of the pyramid and rural dwellers were most affected.
The Bottom up Economic Transformation Agenda has recognized the problems being faced by a large proportion of the population which has come at a time that strong empirical analysis that shows that growth can eradicate poverty must be supported by a strong focus on targeted social and protection system.
The CS stated that the main objective of establishing KIPPRA was to develop Human and Institutional capacities which contribute to the formulation of medium and long-term strategic perspective for the economic and social development of Kenya and mostly building capacity for the youth so that they gain skills that shape their career path and help them effectively participate in the policy process.
In addition, the Young Professionals Program at KIPPRA offers a great opportunity for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to build their Human capacities in the Public Policy Space.
Prof. Njuguna noted that KIPPRA has also established a mentorship platform for MDAs to engage with University community in creating awareness on Government Development Agenda, Interventions and Initiatives. He thanked MDAs who are participating on the platform as it demonstrates the Government is working together to serve the Mwananchi.
Prof. Ndung’u concluded by reminding everyone that the journey towards a better Kenya is a collective endeavor that requires dedication and collaboration from all, but above all a strong lesson learned was that the economic development agenda relies on clear environment that is based on knowledge and strong institutions to implement.
Present during the event was among others, the Economic Planning Principal Secretary, James Muhati, KIPPRA Board led by the Chairperson Dr. Benson A. Ateng’, and Executive Director, Dr. Rose Ngugi.
