Sustainable development goals are a universal call to action for everyone in the world. They are a call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure everyone enjoys prosperity and peace.
In addition to the above, these goals build on the success of Millenial development goals. The goals are 17 in number, and they are all interconnected in that the success of one leads to tackling the other. In this article, we are going to discuss sustainable development goals in Kenya.
Sustainable development goals in Kenya
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No Poverty
The first SDG is to end poverty in all its forms everywhere in Kenya. Nearly 34% of the population in Kenya live in poorest households. As a result of this poverty, a large proportion of young men emigrate from the country for the search of educational opportunities and work.
This, therefore, handicaps the country’s ability to grow its economy since the efforts of its young generation are invested in another country. Poverty eradication is, therefore, an important goal to be achieved by Kenya.
2. Zero hunger
This SDG aims at combating hunger through sustainable agriculture, improved nutrition, and better nutrition. Agriculture is the main backbone of the Kenyan economy. It is worth to note that the government of Kenya has made some steps in regards to this goal. Take, for instance, the provision of subsidised fertiliser to farmers, construction of dams and greenhouses for farmers.
However, more is needed to be done in this specific area. This is because there are still some parts in Kenya that again experience adverse drought and floods. That transcends to hungry people as a result of the famine experienced.
3. Good Health and Wellbeing
The main aim of this goal is to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. Since the year 1990 to 2015, Kenya has made great strides to minimise the number of children deaths. However, there is still much more that needs to be done.
Recently, the Kenyan government launched the universal healthcare coverage pilot in 4 counties. These counties are mainly Kisumu, Nyeri, Machakos, and Isiolo. In addition to this, the NHIF has improved its coverage and services to its members.
The private sector has also taken great strides when it comes to achieving this goal. Take, for instance, Makiba which allows the normal mwanachi to take health insurance for as little as Kes. 50 a day.
When it comes to sexual and reproduction health, 75.1% of the women in Kenya are satisfied by modern method contraception. The Beyond Zero campaign and marathon aim at helping achieve this goal.
Although there is still much to be done, Kenya is making baby steps in the right direction.
4.Quality education
This SDG is more about the provision of inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning. About 59.4% of the Kenyan population women have at least attained some secondary school.
As a country, however, we have a long way to go since around 60% of the poorest households lack secondary education. Even though Kenya has reduced the cost of secondary education, it has not been able to attain 100% transition rate from primary to secondary school.
5.Gender Equality
Achieving gender equality for all women and girls while empowering them. This is one of the leading sustainable development goals that Kenya is trying to make. The main aim of this goal is to reduce early marriages among girls. Empowering women and girls has a multiplier effect in eliminating any form of discrimination affecting them.
6.Clean Water and Sanitation
All over the world, water scarcity affects 40% of the population. With the advent of globalisation, this can only be expected to get worse. However, the majority of the people in Kenya have access to clean water.
On matters sanitation, only 29.3% of the household population rely on an improved, nonshared sanitation facility as the main facility. Most of the community has to depend on shared sanitation. This is, therefore, the main issue for Kenya in regards to this goal.
7.Affordable and clean energy
The efforts to improve and increase power involve thermal, sun, wind as well as hydroelectricity. This goal is also going to be achieved by adopting new technologies. Take, for instance, the adoption of energy saver electric bulbs and devices.
Another stride taken by the government is the implementation of the last mile project. This project ensures that rural regions which could not be able to access electricity can now gain access.
8.Decent work and Economic growth
Over the past 25 years, the number of workers living in extreme poverty has declined dramatically. However, Kenya is still trying to recover from the 2007 post-election crises. As the rest of the world recovers from the 2008 economic crises.
In Kenya, there is a continual emphasis on entrepreneurship and minimisation of requirements to start a business. For instance, the government has dramatically made it possible to access its services without much hassle. Like one can register a company from the comfort of their home.
9.Industry innovation and infrastructure
Innovation and infrastructure are the key drivers of economic growth. Kenya has been labelled as the technological hub spot for Africa. Kenya is to be applauded for its infrastructure. I mean we have right roads, faster internet and connectivity can access government services from anywhere. As a country, we are not badly off in attaining this goal.
10.Reduced inequality
Inequality in Kenya is on the rise, up to 11%. Part of this has resulted in economic growth. To improve on this problem, new regulations have to be set for financial markets and institutions as well as foreign direct investments.
11.Sustainable Cities and communities
The rapid growth of cities in the developing world, coupled with increasing rural to urban migration, has led to a boom in mega-cities. To achieve this goal, the Kenyan government has the purpose of developing cities all over the country. Take, for instance, the Konza city. This will lead to decongestion in Nairobi and more opportunities in rural areas.
12. Responsible consumption and production
Achieving economic growth and sustainable development requires that we urgently reduce our ecological footprint by changing the way we produce and consume goods and resources. Agriculture is the biggest user of water worldwide, and irrigation now claims close to 70 per cent of all freshwater for human use.
The efficient management of our shared natural resources and the way we dispose of toxic waste and pollutants are important targets to achieve this goal.
13. Climate Change
No country in the world is not experiencing first-hand the drastic effects of climate change. Greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise and are now more than 50 per cent higher than their 1990 level. Reusing of wastes as well as recycling them, is one of the ways to attain this goal.
In 17th of August 2017, the Kenyan government implemented the plastic ban. This ban influenced the importation, manufacture, and use of plastic bags all over the country. This ban has reduced the number of plastic being released to the environment. Moreover, there is still a long way to go.
14.Life below water
Under this goal, the Kenyan government aims at fostering the development of seas, oceans and marine resources through their conservation and sustainable use. In Kenya, several nongovernmental organisations have come up with initiatives to conserve the ocean and lakes. For instance, Sea Turtle Conservancy offers stewardship and management of turtles along the coastal region.
15.Life on Land
Promote, protect, and restore the use of sustainable utilisation of terrestrial ecosystems by the administration of forests, combating diversification, halting, and reversing land degradation, and ending biodiversity loss.
16. Peace, Justice and strong institutions
Without order, stability, human rights, and effective governance, based on the rule of law, a country cannot be developed sustainably. Some counties enjoy sustained levels of peace, security, and prosperity, while others fall into seemingly endless cycles of conflict and violence. To achieve justice and peace, these divisions should be resolved.
17.Partnerships for the goals
To realise the Sustainable development goals in Kenya strong, a strong commitment to global partnerships is required. The Kenyan government has continued to get into collaboration with other institutions to achieve this goal. Some of the partnerships include:
- Cooperation with the Chinese government
- Netherlands
- UNDP
