Former Moderator, PCEA General Assembly (2003–2009)Dr. David Muhia Githii

The problem: Kenya’s resources are not unlimited, and every shilling spent by government ultimately belongs to the Kenyan people.

• Research and assess before committing public resources
• Set clear priorities, assign responsibility and establish measurable targets
• Systematically assess each ministry, department, county and major revenue stream to find where resources are lost and why

“We therefore have a moral obligation to spend it wisely.”

The problem: Corruption is the greatest enemy of this nation, affecting both government resources and ordinary citizens.

• Procurement: inflated prices, tender manipulation and politically connected contractors
• Public revenue: leakage, ghost projects and diversion of funds
• Land and natural resources: grabbing, fraudulent titles and exploitation of public assets

“Every shilling lost through corruption is a classroom not built, a medicine not supplied, a road not repaired, and an opportunity denied to a Kenyan.”

The problem: Success is too often measured by the construction of a building rather than by the care that patients actually receive.

• Listen to patients and health workers
• Investigate staffing and supply challenges
• Assess the effectiveness of existing systems, and respond with solutions that deliver actual healthcare

“Investments in a health facility must be measured by the quality and availability of services delivered.”

The problem: Some young people have qualifications but cannot find jobs; others have skills but no capital, or training that does not match what employers need.

• Establish a National Youth Skills and Employment Assessment
• Redirect training toward sectors with genuine potential for employment and enterprise
• Connect skills to apprenticeships, internships, entrepreneurship, finance and markets

“Our young people need a government prepared to help them build that future.”

The problem: Projects are considered successful simply because money has been allocated or a foundation stone has been laid.

• Establish a National Listening, Evidence and Delivery Initiative
• Set measurable targets and timelines, and report regularly to the people
• Return to the people to find out whether our response worked

“Their responsibility continues until the intended result reaches the citizen.”

The problem: Farmers face high input costs, market instability, post-harvest losses, inadequate irrigation and weak value addition.

• Conduct a national assessment of each major agricultural value chain
• Reduce unnecessary production costs, and strengthen cooperatives and market access
• Expand irrigation and storage based on assessed regional needs; promote agro-processing

“The farmer must not remain poor while the consumer remains hungry and the middleman becomes wealthy.”

The problem: Land disputes, irregular allocation of public land, insecure tenure and inadequate affordable housing continue to affect many Kenyans.

• Undertake a comprehensive assessment of land records and major disputes
• Digitize land administration and protect public land from irregular allocation
• Develop affordable housing according to properly assessed local demand

“Land must be a foundation for dignity, production and security, not a source of endless conflict.”

The problem: Kenyans sometimes experience weak county services despite substantial public resources being transferred to counties.

• Assess county performance against constitutional functions
• Track how allocated resources translate into actual services
• Publish transparent performance indicators and address waste and duplication

“Devolution must be measured not by the money transferred to counties, but by the services that reach the Mwananchi.”