The Kenyan Cabinet has announced a series of impactful decisions aimed at streamlining governance, bolstering the agricultural sector, and fostering economic transparency.

In a move that underscores the evolving role of government with devolution, the Cabinet directed a review of the six Regional Development Authorities (RDAs).

Established before the 2010 Constitution enshrined a two-tiered system of governance, the review will assess the RDAs' effectiveness in the current landscape.

These authorities include the Tana and Athi Rivers Development Authority, Kerio Valley Development Authority, Lake Basin Development Authority, Ewaso Nyiro North Development Authority, Ewaso Nyiro South Development Authority, and the Coast Development Authority.

Livestock Sector Poised for Growth

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The Cabinet also greenlit the long-awaited Livestock Bill 2023. This legislation promises a much-needed regulatory framework for the livestock sector, prioritizing the development of the dairy, leather, and meat value chains.

Notably, the bill addresses the current lack of regulations in the meat industry beyond veterinary inspections, a significant gap that has hampered growth.

Kenya's vast livestock population, encompassing 18 million cattle, 28 million goats, 17 million sheep, 3 million camels, and a multitude of poultry and donkeys, stands to benefit immensely from this reform.

The potential for farmers and investors is significant, solidifying Kenya's position as a major livestock producer in Africa.

Boosting Productivity and Efficiency in Agriculture

Further bolstering the agricultural sector, the Cabinet approved the National Agricultural Mechanisation Policy.

This policy seeks to enhance productivity and production by promoting mechanization, improving efficiency, and incentivizing large-scale commercial farming.

Public-private partnerships and training initiatives are also key components of the policy, aiming to make mechanization a driver of agricultural growth.

Shifting Gears: New Accounting Method for Enhanced Transparency

In line with the Kenyan Kwanza administration's commitment to fiscal transparency, the Cabinet announced a significant shift in government accounting practices.

The current Cash Basis of Accounting will be phased out within three years, and replaced by the Accrual Basis of Accounting.

This change, recommended by the National Treasury and the Public Sector Accounting Standards Board, promotes more comprehensive reporting by recognizing revenue and expenses when transactions occur, rather than solely focusing on cash flow.

This move aims to address issues such as mounting pending bills and stalled development projects.

The Cabinet's decisions extend beyond agriculture and finance. The National Policy on Linking Industry to Education, Training and Research was also approved, with the goal of bridging the gap between education, training institutions, and the job market.

Additionally, several Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) were signed, fostering international cooperation in areas such as cyber defence and cultural heritage preservation.

The establishment of the Digital Media City Project at Konza Technopolis further highlights the government's focus on fostering innovation and technological advancement.

These wide-ranging reforms signal the Kenyan government's commitment to adapting its governance structure to better serve the needs of its citizens and unlock the nation's economic potential.