RETHINKING THE WELFARE STATE IN KENYA
Education, health and poverty eradication have become central issues of Kenyan politics. However, more is said, and little done. The COVID-19 disruption has exposed the gaps and vulnerabilities in our existing systems and current development plans. Change of tactics is necessary for the achievement of the country’s ambitions.
Kenya has since confirmed more than 1200 cases of COVID-19 since the first case on March 23, 2020. Measures put forward to contain the spread of the virus have led to a significant economic crisis. The central bank of Kenya has since revised economic growth projections for 2020 from 6.4% to 3.4% of GDP, considering the other factors like locust invasion and floods, the figures could be below 1.5%. The impacts of the crisis will significantly undermine the realization of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Kenya’s Vision 2030.
Companies have laid off staff, sent others on unpaid leave or implemented pay cuts hence loses in income and livelihoods to many families. In April, the Ministry of Labor reported that 133,657 jobs in the formal were lost and the president on Labor Day indicated that more than 500,000 jobs were at stake. The numbers in the informal sector are far higher as the sector accounts for more than 86% of employment, which according to KNBS 2018 estimates was 15 Million.
According to the 2019 census, 19 Million people are poor in Kenya. Furthermore, more than 14 million Kenyans are at risk of food insecurity every year with 2.6 million being extreme cases. Kenya ranks 86th out of 117 in the UN Global Hunger Index meaning the situation is critical in the country. Losses of jobs and incomes, as well as disruptions created by preventive measures, make the situation worse.
Federation of Kenya Employers warns that at least 2.3 million workers may lose medical insurance if the pandemic persists as employers will be unable to pay for their insurance due to losses in their incomes. Already 80% of Kenyans do not have health insurance and rarely visit hospitals unless when in critical conditions as are they are scared by the high costs of treatment.
Introduction of Free Primary Education in January 2003 prompted a sharp increase in school enrolment by more than 29%, and the remains high. Subsidizing secondary school fees and the efforts to implement a 100% transition to high school has seen many learners staying in school. Lack of necessary and sufficient infrastructure remains a big challenge, something which has affected the quality of education in public schools.
Closure of schools has interrupted schooling, but the Ministry of Education indicated that learning would continue through digital platforms. Surveys done by Uwezo Kenya found than around 80% of public school students had no access to home learning platforms. Most of the learners have no access to smartphones, radio and TV as well as poor mobile network and lack of electricity connectivity. The survey also found out that public school do not have a mechanism for student-instructor interaction hence lack of feedback. Learners with disabilities are entirely left out.
BASIC SHOULD BE UNIVERSAL
Article 43 of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 identifies education, high standards of health, social security, and being free from hunger as human rights. Sub article 3 provides that the state shall provide social security to persons unable to support themselves. With the more substantial population vulnerable, the government should consider making essential needs universal.
Employment of 10,000 teachers and ICT support team is a good move. However, the teacher deficit, according to KNUT, is close to 100,000. Other challenges facing government learning institutions need adequate interventions, and the digital element that is missing incorporated. Basic education needs to be entirely free and compulsory as the law says.
Recruitment of health workers and building up of capacities in hospitals and medical research is laudable. Universal Health Coverage that is in piloting need to rolled-out soon. Parliament need to make laws that will support resource
While the cash transfer and food distribution will help to save lives in the meantime, a long term plan to address food insecurity should be urgently developed. Accurate data about the people in need will be necessary to ensure nobody is left out.
Just like it is presented in party manifestos and argued by experts and researchers like Kenya’s Economy of Tomorrow working group, embracing welfare policies will contribute to economic development that in inclusive and thus help to achieve SDGs and Vision 2030.