Kenya’s journey to sustainable development requires a bold, multifaceted approach, with emphasis on strategic investments, prudent borrowing, public-private partnerships (PPPs), and efficient revenue channels.
As the government seeks to address the country’s financial needs and achieve ambitious goals like Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), these strategies form the backbone of Kenya’s development plan.
Balancing recurrent expenditure with development expenditure is essential, particularly as debt remains a pressing issue.
Kenya’s current national debt highlights the need for alternative financing approaches.
Senior Presidential Advisor and former Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade, and Industry, Moses Kuria, recently highlighted the challenge posed by the Sh2.1 billion daily domestic debt interest payments.
Treasury CS John Mbadi has echoed similar concerns, advocating for a reduction in dependence on international loans.
Instead, Kenya must focus on expanding its revenue base while leveraging PPPs and strategic borrowing to fuel development without compromising long-term stability.
Public-private partnerships have emerged as a vital pillar for economic modernization.
Through PPPs, Kenya can attract private capital for critical infrastructure projects, sharing financial risk while accelerating progress.
These partnerships enable infrastructure projects to be executed efficiently without overburdening government resources, promoting both economic growth and job creation.
As an example, the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), financed through Chinese loans, emphasizes the importance of infrastructure investment in boosting Kenya’s economic potential.
Such projects enhance trade, create jobs, and strengthen the country’s position as a regional logistics hub.
However, while utilizing these partnerships, Kenya must ensure that debt remains sustainable to avoid passing an undue burden onto future generations.
China’s success story is an illustrative case of how strategic borrowing, infrastructure investment, and industrial planning can elevate a nation.
China’s transition from an agrarian society to a global economic powerhouse was achieved through a mix of prudent borrowing, massive infrastructure investments, and carefully structured policies.
Mao Zedong, despite the setbacks of initiatives like the Great Leap Forward, laid the groundwork for China’s unity and future reforms.
His successor, Deng Xiaoping, pursued pragmatic economic policies, establishing Special Economic Zones (SEZs) that fostered foreign investment and catalyzed China’s industrial growth.
This approach offers valuable lessons for Kenya as it seeks to balance growth with financial responsibility.
Like China, Kenya can benefit by developing industrial parks, trade corridors, and export-oriented zones that can stimulate industrialization and trade.
Expanding Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport capacity through partnerships is one such project, enhancing Kenya’s position as a logistics hub in East Africa.
Such infrastructural upgrades will drive regional and international connectivity, enabling Kenya to compete on a larger scale.
The government’s introduction of the Social Health Authority (SHA) and the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) further highlights Kenya’s commitment to sustainable development through inclusive healthcare reform.
SHA and SHIF represent a shift toward universal health coverage (UHC), reducing the financial stress of medical care for Kenyans while promoting preventive care and health equity.
By moving toward a proactive, preventive health model, SHA and SHIF align with Kenya’s broader economic goals, aiming for a healthier, more productive workforce.
The program’s scope and impact can be compared to the United States’ Affordable Care Act (ACA), famously known as Obamacare, which fundamentally transformed healthcare access and affordability.
Similarly, SHIF under SHA aims to reshape Kenya’s healthcare framework, ensuring that millions of Kenyans benefit from affordable healthcare.
Beyond health reform, SHA and SHIF are expected to strengthen Kenya’s healthcare infrastructure, especially in remote areas, where access to primary care remains limited.
By focusing on preventive care, SHA and SHIF will reduce demand for emergency and specialized services, leading to more cost-effective healthcare spending. This model emphasizes health equity, creating a foundation for economic stability, as healthy citizens are more productive and contribute to national development.
Transparency and accountability are equally essential in Kenya’s journey towards sustainable growth.
Effective parliamentary oversight, coupled with strong institutions such as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), is important and necessary for ensuring that resources are allocated responsibly.
Robust frameworks for oversight and accountability not only combat corruption but also instil public trust and confidence.
Kenya’s commitment to transparency must be steadfast, allowing oversight to reinforce development rather than hinder it.
Parliamentary committees and judicial bodies play a critical role here, fostering a transparent environment where development progresses without bureaucratic bottlenecks.
Ethiopia’s construction of a new international airport near Addis Ababa is a relevant example of proactive infrastructure investment that Kenya can emulate to remain competitive.
For Kenya, upgrading its infrastructure—such as expanding Nairobi’s airport to handle higher capacities—will cement its standing as a leading economy in East Africa.
Such investments contribute to long-term regional influence and economic growth, enabling Kenya to serve as a reliable trade and logistics partner within the continent.
In this context, the Bottom-Up Transformative Agenda emerges as a vision for inclusive growth, going beyond politics to unify the nation in the pursuit of shared prosperity.
By prioritizing strategic borrowing, PPPs, healthcare reform, education, innovation, infrastructure development, and science and technology, Kenya can forge a sustainable path to growth.
The blueprint is clear: responsible financial management, inclusive policies, and strong oversight will empower Kenya to achieve its goals.
With effective implementation of these strategies, Kenya has the potential to redefine itself as a resilient and prosperous partner on the global stage.
The path to sustainable growth is one that requires national unity, resilience, and a collective commitment to progress.
Together, Kenyans can realize this vision and ensure that the benefits of development are shared by all, creating a foundation for lasting prosperity.
This path towards growth is a win for all Kenyans and requires citizens’ support for the government to achieve these goals.
Fwamba NC Fwamba is the Chairman of the National Alternative
Leadership Forum.
