Millennium development goals and how Kenya has achieved it
Millennium development goals are similar to vision 2030, how Kenya took it upon them to make some changes that would lead to development of the country. The development plan that was launched by President Kibaki on 10th June, 2008 was put in place to transform national development. The vision is a national plan to make Kenya as wealthy as the rising stars of the Far East like Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia. It targets an annual growth rate of 10percent.
The plan to get to Kenya to be a middle income economy and rapidly industrializing country with a high quality is life. The development plan was to work in phases. i.e.: The first stage of 5 years to 2012 being based on a Medium Term Plan (MTP) which started in the year 2006. Under the plan, the government is to focus on the incorporating two elements focusing on the recovery from effects of the post-election crisis.
Intervention areas include security, peace-building and reconciliation, resettlement of internally displaced persons, revitalization of productive sectors including agriculture, tourism and business and restoration of damaged infrastructure.
The next 22years from 2006 would then be a period of expanding the economy and political and social space whereby the country will have attained a middle-level economic status. All Kenyans, me included hope to see the country gaining a middle income status and providing a higher quality of all for all citizens. This though has been questioned by many, as it is evident that ,“In a country where hundreds of grand projects have flopped before, and where distrust of most things official runs deep, this ambition is likely to be met with cynicism. The doubters would be right to be skeptical.
To realize its main goal, our government built its focus on the competitive disadvantages in the key sectors of the economy and ended up singling out pillars on which to realize the desired goals. The pillars are: Economical, Social and Political Leadership.
The first pillar is to ensure that we achieve and sustain an average economic growth of over 10 percent per annum
The second pillar is intended to see the building of a just cohesive society with equitable social development and a clean and secure environment.
The third pillar aims at producing democratic political system that nurtures issue-based politics and the rule of law and protects all the rights and freedoms of every individual in our society.

How has Kenya achieved these goals?
The Kenyan government has not only held conferences to discuss the issue of making Kenya a better country, but they have also implemented projects that will make sure, Kenyan’s lives are improved. It is needless to say that the growing nexus between the rich and the poor remains a major threat to Kenya’s political and social stability.
Listed below, are projects that the Kenyan government has effort fully dedicated to carry out so as to achieve these goals. Although not included below, it is important to note that conferences as well as discussions have been held as well to not only question the realism and factuality of the Vision and plan as a whole but to also to plan on measures that should be taken to make sure that the vision results into reality in the anticipated time. These have included Kenyans as well as leaders of the country i.e. prime ministers and members of the parliament not forgetting the president himself.

ECONOMIC
The Kenyan government plans to maintain a sustained an economic growth of 10% p.a. over the next years. The Kenya Vision 2030 and the Economic Recovery Strategy also provided a basis for the establishment of such institution in Kenya to address poor governance in the public sector.
Information, Communication and Technology: The government has taken measures aimed at modernizing public institutions and processes so that Kenyan’s can receive prompt and high quality services.ie. Kenyans can now make online job applications to the Public Service Commission; clear their imported goods online, amongst many other services.
Maisha Mabati Mills Limited: This Company has created hundreds of jobs in providing affordable roofing material, supports the Kenya vision 2030. It has brought down the price of roofing material by 20 to 30percent. President Kibaki said that the opening of this company was” was an important milestone in the development of Kenya’s economy at large.”
Construction with the Chinese Government: The Chinese government has committed to Construction of key facilities: A second port in Lamu, pipeline, road and railway infrastructure.
Standard Gauge Rail: Was covered under economic Partnership Agreements, the energy generation and transmission sector will also enjoy a $1billion funding line. This was enacted by the Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta will the Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.
Thika Super Highway: this is a product of cooperation between Kenya and China. It covers the infrastructure sector, roads.
New constitution: If quick implementation is enacted, the high level of corruption will diminish this was stated clearly by a Member of Parliament, Paul Muite. Vision 2030 ought to be implemented.
Infrastructure Project: Lapsset Project US$25 billion (Sh.2trillion) this will curb the situation that African nations have long been hindered by which are inclusive of poor infrastructure and people communication. It is planned on targeting public-private partnerships (PPPs). It will create economic wealth and enhance the country’s competitiveness.
KRC Railway Master Plan: Upgrade of Nairobi commuter rail system. Build a 7km link from the Jommo Kenyatta International Airport to the city centre in order to ease the frequent traffic jams in Nairobi that are hampering commercial activity in the country. President Uhuru Kenyatta allocated an additional Kshs 1.9 billion toward construction of a new branch line from Embakasi Railway Station to JKIA.
The first phase was the commuter railway station built in Syokimau, and the acquisition of ultra-modern locomotive engines and wagons.
SOCIAL
The Kenyan government’s thematic view socially, is to have a just and cohesive society enjoying equitable social development in a clean and secure environment. Steps and projects undertaken by the government include the following:
Tatu City: was built in Kiambu it is the first of its kind in Africa. Residents will work, play and live in the envisaged city.
Eithad Airways: The airlines provide direct flights between Nairobi and the United Arab Emirates by Eithad Abu Dhabi Airways. The airline’s new service will provide both passenger and cargo services. This will boost tourism traffic to Kenya from the Middle East and Asia among other countries. It will also provide passenger and cargo services.
Dam project: A multi-million dam project in Ugunja at Siaya County. It seeks to mitigate poverty, flooding and health hazards. The government’s aim is to empower the people. The residents rejected
POLITICAL
The Kenyan politics has been of a great question since governance tends to be very based and unclear to the public. The government though aims to stop this to make it an issue-based, people-centered, result-oriented, and accountable democratic political (Kenya, 2007). Some of the projects undertaken involve: Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS): Intention of KNBS is to strengthen the collaboration with the Civil Registration departments and other stake holders to provide quality statistics that are accurate, consistent and timely to monitor and evaluate our development goals and targets. It is important for the country to recognize that civil registration is a developmental and human rights issue.
The Kenya Plant Health Inspector Service has also made amendments to policies involved in the agriculture system. Embracing our local products is really being stressed on. Farmers also are being encouraged to keep on with agriculture and livestock keeping concentrating more on what we make instead of relying on imported goods. Geothermal projects are also trying to be implemented.
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL CHANGES
Slum upgrade: The growth of slums in our cities and other urban centers can be attributed to rapid urbanization that has exceeded available services and activities. In realization of this, on the 1st November, 2004 stakeholders agreed to form the Kenya Slum Upgrading Program (KENSUP) to formulate a covering period of 2005-2020. This program within the given time aims to improve the livelihoods of some 5.3 million urban dwellers. As averred by the Prime Minister, Raila Odinga the relocation of 1200 households, provision of decent and affordable housing is captured in the Millennium Development Goal number one, which aims at cutting extreme poverty.

CONCLUSION
The Kenyan government has shown effort to achieve all these goals but needs to invest more into it. This should not only be limited financially but the government should also invest time to this project if they want it to be a total success. Measures the government can take to achieving the required growth acceleration, it should increase in national savings, foreign direct investment (FDI), and foreign aid. This may end up with increases in TFP (total factor productivity) growth. The government should revisit the plan set out and see whether they have achieved all that was set out. The future of Kenya is important and crucial for both today’s living as well as tomorrows. Other steps may also including the Vision 2030 in the constitution so that Kenyans may also know that this development plant will not only improve their lives but their children and great grand children; the future.

Reference
Vision 2030 to be launched today. (2008). The People Daily , 6.1.
The vision can become real. (2006). Daily Nation , 8.1.
(Uhuri visit to China unlocks funds forVvision 2030 projects, 2013)
Ongwae, E. (2010). Vision 2030 industrialization dream today. Daily Nation , 5.
Njiraini, J. (2010). Oil refinary gears up for major upgrade. The Standard , 13.
Anyanzwa, J. (2012). State seeks external funding for commuter rail project. The Standard , 38.

AFRICA NAZARENE UNIVERSITY
NAME: IVY MUTESHI
UNIT CODE: UCC 401
UNIT: DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIETY
LECTURER: MUHIA