In his first address to the nation as President of the Republic of Kenya, William Ruto unveiled a bag of goodies for Kenyans.
First, he assured the appointment of the 6 judges who were already nominated by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) three years ago
Ruto said he shall preside over their swearing- in ceremony tomorrow (Wednesday) saying his decision was meant to demonstrate his commitment to the independence of the judiciary.
According to him, his administration will scale up the budgetary allocation to the Judiciary by an additional KShs 3 billion annually for the next 5 years.
An increase in the number of small claims courts from 25 to 100 is expected and the construction of High Courts in the remaining 7 counties.
123 magistrates' courts are also expected to be built under his administration.
The president also instructed that the instrument conferring financial autonomy to the National Police Service be transferred from the office of the President and designated the Inspector-General of Police as the accounting officer.
He cited that financial independence of the police will be vital in the fight against corruption and end political interference to the criminal justice system.
He also appealed to the county governments in Eastern, Central and Western regions to ensure fertilizer is availed to farmers.
To cushion famers, he said arrangements were made to supply fertilizer at cost of Kshs 3,500 from initial Kshs 6,500 and promised to have a long-term solution on the issue.
The president also stated that he was aware of drought in 13 counties across the country and he was going to mobilize resources to reverse the situation and prevent them from entering an emergency phase.
Ruto said his government shall take measures to give Kenyans a chance to get credit and eliminate blacklisting of Kenyans in the CRB.
He promised his administration would create a favorable business and enterprise environment, decriminalize livelihoods and support people in the informal sector to organize themselves in to stable, viable and creditworthy business entities.
To implement other business interventions, he said that Ministry of Cooperatives and SME Development shall be established.
On the CBC curriculum, Ruto assured parents that an Educational Reform Taskforce will be established, and all stakeholders involved so as to come up with a conclusive solution on the issue.
He also promised to elevate the diaspora to be the 48th County and give it the attention it requires and ensure fundamental rights of diaspora citizens are not violated. He promised that the diaspora issues will be elevated at a ministry level.
In the spirit of embracing devolution, Ruto said had no hesitation in accelerating the transfer of outstanding functions to counties, together with the attendant resources.
He added that he would secure timely disbursement of revenue allocations to county governments saying the success of devolution were dependent on sound intergovernmental relations.
On climate change the President reaffirmed Kenya's commitment to transition to 100% clean energy and urged other African States to embrace use of renewable energy technologies, saying the continent had immense potential renewable energy.
Ruto also vowed to support IEBC's institutional capacity so as to expand the deployment of technology to cover all elections.
Under his government, no public servant will be required to run political errands.
Ruto also promised to reform NHIF and make it a s social health insurance provider with contributions based on income.
Clearing of all goods and other attendant operational issues are expected to revert at the Port of Mombasa.
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