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STATE DEPARTMENT FOR PLANNING, THE NATIONAL TREASURY AND PLANNING TO THE 55th SESSION OF THE COMMISSION ON POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT

27Apr

STATE DEPARTMENT FOR PLANNING, THE NATIONAL TREASURY AND PLANNING TO THE 55th SESSION OF THE COMMISSION ON POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT

REPUBLIC OF KENYA

 

                                                    STATEMENT

                                                  PRESENTED BY

        1. SAITOTI TOROME, CBS

PRINCIPAL SECRETARY,

STATE DEPARTMENT FOR PLANNING, THE NATIONAL TREASURY AND PLANNING

TO THE 55th SESSION OF THE COMMISSION ON POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT

UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK

25TH TO 29TH  APRIL 2022

 

Chair, the 55th Session of the United Nations Commission on Population and Development

President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC),

Distinguished delegates,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Kenya is honored to participate in the 55th Session of the Commission on Population and Development whose theme is” “Population and sustainable development, in particular, sustained and inclusive economic growth”.  Kenya aligns itself with the statement delivered by the Republic of Nigeria on behalf of the African group. The theme also fits well with our national priorities as articulated in the Social Pillar of the Kenya’s Vision 2030 that “seeks to increase investment in the people and build a just and cohesive society that enjoys equitable socio-economic development in a clean and secure environment”.

 

Kenya is committed to deliver on commitments made during the Nairobi Summit on ICPD25 held from 12th -14th November 2019, Nairobi. The implementation of these commitments commenced in 2019/2020 financial year and already two annual progress reports on its implementation were launched during the 1st and 2nd National Annual Anniversary celebrations of this historic event.

At the same time, Kenya is in the process of developing Medium Term Plan (MTP IV) covering the period from 2023 to 2027 of Kenya’s Vision 2030 of which ICPD25 Kenya Country Commitments will be included in the national plans and Sub-national (County) Integrated Development Plans (CIDPs).

 

Chair

Although Kenya’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has declined from 7.9 in 1979 to 3.4 in 2019 and projected to decline further to 3.08 by 2027. Crude death rate and infant mortality declined from 10.4 per 1,000 population and 54 per 1,000 live births in 2009 to 10.2 per 1000 population and 35.9 per 1000 live births in 2019 respectively. On the other hand, life expectancy increased from 58.0 in 2009 to 66.7 years in 2019.

 

The population size is projected to increase from 47.6 million in 2019 to about 80 million by 2050. Out of the total population of 47.6 million people enumerated in 2019, the proportion of the youth (age 18-34 years) constitute 29 percent whereas the elderly population (60 years and above) increased from 1,926,051 in 2009 to 2,740,555 in 2019, thus representing an increase of approximately 42 percent which necessitates higher social protection measures.

It is important to note that the declining fertility and increasing proportion of older persons has led to changes in Kenya’s population age structure. This has implications on Kenya’s efforts to achieve environmental sustainability, eradicate poverty and improve the quality of life of her population.

 

Chair

The rapid population increase in Kenya has led to an increase in demand for natural resources hence exerting pressure on them. This has resulted into environmental degradation, climate change and emergence of invasive species.

Consequently, our environmental conservation and protection targets have improved marginally as follows:

  1. Forest cover increased from 7.24 per cent in 2016 to approximately 8.83 percent in 2021.
  2. National tree cover increased from 7.29 per cent in 2017 to 12.13 percent in 2021.
  3. Water supply in urban and rural areas increased from 70.3 percent to 74 percent and 50.2 per cent and 61.5 per cent 2017/18 in 2017/18 and 2020/21 respectively. This is expected to enable the government realize its aim of achieving universal access to safe water in urban and rural areas
  4. Sewerage coverage in urban areas increased from 25 percent in 2018 to 27.7 percent in 2021.
  5. Sanitation coverage increased from 74.8 percent in 2018 to 82.5 percent in 2021

 

Chair

Kenya’s efforts in the achievement of sustainable development has compelled the government to review and develop a draft Population Policy for Sustainable Development.

 

The draft Policy underscores the need for the strengthening of integration of population dynamics in development planning at all levels to ensure policy coherence and provide a common national vision. It will also provide guidance on the harmonization of sectoral efforts to achieve desired well-being for all the people of Kenya.

 

Allocation of decentralized funds in our budgets takes into consideration Population size and poverty levels.

 

Chair

In an effort to ensure sustained and inclusive economic growth in the country, Kenya has put in place various programmes, legislations and policies to empower vulnerable groups (Women, Youth, Persons With Disability and the Elderly) to overcome poverty, access leadership, start businesses and live decent lives. These initiatives include:

  1. Women Enterprise Fund, Uwezo Fund, National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF)
  2. Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO)
  3. Youth Enterprise Development Fund (YEDF)
  4. Prevention and Response to Gender Based Violence, eradication of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
  5. Cash Transfer to cushions the vulnerable population specifically Orphans and Vulnerable Children, Older Persons, and Persons with Disabilities against poverty. By the end of 2021, the programme had delivered Cash transfer to 1,067,805 beneficiaries annually out of the targeted 1,233,129 beneficiaries.

 

Chair

To harness the youth potential and realize the Vision 2030 aspirations, Kenya has revised the National Demographic Dividend Roadmap focusing on the following four (4) sectors: Health and wellbeing; Education and skills development; Employment and entrepreneurship; Rights, governance and youth empowerment.

 

In conclusion, I wish to state that rapid population increase experienced over the years coupled with COVID-19 pandemic and climate change challenges have slowed Kenya’s efforts to eradicate poverty, guarantee the right of every person to “a clean and healthy environment” and improve the quality of life of our people.

 

There is a need therefore for this session to come up with new strategies and measures to accelerate the realization of the 55th theme of the session of the United Nations Commission on Population and Development in our countries in line with our national priorities “Population and sustainable development, in particular, sustained and inclusive economic growth”.

 

THANK YOU

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