Kenya has grown erratically over the years. From a steady annual rate of 6.6% in the late 60’s, growth declined to 2.8% in the late 70’s, and reached an all time low of 1.2% in 2002. Since this time, year on year growth has increased to 6.1% in 2006. Despite these signs of economic recovery, economic growth lags far behind the required rate of 7% needed to support the implementation of the MDG’s.
Currently, Kenya’s has a population of 36.1 million people, 75% of whom live in rural areas. The proportion of Kenyans living in poverty rose from 44.7% in 1992 to more than 56% in 2003. Put another way, 2.7 million more people were living below the poverty line in 2001 than were in 1997. The current trend infers that approximately 66% of people will be living in poverty by 2015. 82% poor live in the rural areas.
Kenya is predominantly arid or semi arid land, with 80% of national land mass being so classified. ASAL areas are characterised by harsh and unpredictable climatic conditions. Kenya’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Plan classifies communities living in ASAL areas as poor, where between 53 and 71 % of people live below the poverty line.
Introduction of a government policy on universal primary education saw the increase of children in primary school move from 5.9 million to 7.2 million. The enrolment of girls however is lower than the average with substantial regional disparities.
Life expectancy has fallen from 57 years in 1986 to 47.5 years in 2006. Much of this can be attributed to the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
39% of the population do not have access to safe drinking water, this figure varying from 11% in urban areas and 56% in rural areas.
Unemployment levels have been increasing, especially in urban areas, where levels rose from 7% in 1978 to 25% by 1999. In 2003, average unemployment remained at a staggering 23%.
The government has formulated the Economic Recovery Strategy (ERS) to address these challenges and is one of four African countries to pilot the Millennium Project. This gives Kenya a great opportunity to align its ERS further with the MDGs. The core objectives of the Government of Kenya are to restore economic growth and reduce poverty through employment and wealth creation.