Kenya is a developing country situated in Africa specifically in the eastern African region. In reference to the United Nations development program, Kenya is a sub-Saharan African country whose population stands at 52.47 million as per recent 2019 demographic statistics. Kenya as a UN signatory state is committed to achieving the Millennium Development Goals set out by the United Nations. As Sambu and Tarhule (2013) explains, the country has registered significant milestones in most MDGs. However, realization of MDGs such as poverty eradication and hunger, maternal health improvement, environmental sustainability has been slow. The study presents an analysis of the extent of MDG realization Kenya indicating successes and failures.
Kenya has realised tremendous success in only 5 of the eight UNDP MDG including realization of universal elementary education and combating of HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Regarding achievement of universal primary education, Kenya has been laying strategies to ensure that by 2015, children would complete full course primary education. Notably, the goal has largely been achieved. The net enrolment in primary education has improved tremendously from 67.8% to 95.9% in 2000 and 2013 respectively (Sambu & Tarhule, 2013). Further, Kenya has realized an increase in its gross enrolment ratio from 88% to 115% in 2011. The rise was registered in both boys and girls which was a notable milestone. Transition from primary to secondary school has also rose from 67% to 73% from 2009 to 2011. The net enrolment increased from 92% to 95.7% in 2009 and 2011 respectively (Satterthwaite, 2003). The Kenya constitution has recognized basic education as a basic right with the cabinet secretary approving a bill that guarantees free ECD, primary and secondary schooling.
Kenya has realized success in pursuing environmental sustainability as an MDG. Kenya has invested in renewable sources of energy including geothermal and wind power to reduce carbon dioxide emission. Kenya continues to reclaim 25, 000 hectares of illegally settled and deforested Mau region. Proportion of land covered by forest has improved significantly to 6.99 with the target being 10. Consumption of ozone depleting substances has flopped from 452.3 in 1990 to 50.4 in 2015. The breakdown indicates massive success in realization of the MDG.
Combating HIV/Aids, malaria and other maladies is an MGD goals which Kenya has been in pursuit of as a sub-Saharan country. Curtailing HIV spread has been largely realized with new infections plummeting by a whopping 40% between 2000 and 2013 form an approximated 3.5 million incidences to 2.1 million. Kenya has also made great strides in putting infected victims under antiretroviral therapy (Sambu & Tarhule, 2013). The drugs are have been brought nearer in local medical centres and are administered at no cost. Success has also been registered in inclusion of HIV/AIDS curriculum in Kenya education system. Also, Kenya has successfully averted 6.2 million malaria fatalities between 2000 and 2015. There has been a rise in the proportion of Kenya households owing at least one insecticide treated nets. Statistics show that the number of homes with treated mosquito repelling nets rose from 6% to 48%.
Regarding promotion of women equality and empowerment, Kenya has to a large extent realised success in achieving the goal. Several initiatives have been implemented including operationalization of Women Enterprise Fund and 30% preferential scheme for Women, Youth and person with disability (Satterthwait, 2003). In addition, the public sector has implemented a policy where one third of all appointments are occupied by women. The Kenya vision 2030 prioritizes gender equality in the MTP one and MTP two. The Kenya Gender Parity Index has progressively improved with the ratio of boys to girls rising from 0.95 to 0.98 in 2003 and 2013 respectively.
Kenya has achieved substantial improvement and success in developing global partnership and development. The country has reported a rise in its share of free trade value. Total exports have risen from Ksh. 344, 949 million in 2009 to Ksh 502, 287 in 2015 hence achieving economic liberalisation and reform measures. Mobile telephone subscribers have risen from 19, 363, and 559 to approximately 26,980,771. Network coverage has also improved from 49.7% to 68.4 hence facilitating global partnership. The data showcases success in making the MDG a reality.
Kenya has largely failed to meet the remaining 3 MDGs. First, regarding eradication of poverty levels and hunger, the country still experiences high adversity levels. Conducted survey indicates an increase in poverty quintile from 4.8% in 2000 to 9.8 in 2009. The proportion of Kenya citizens living below the recommended poverty line stands at 45.9 which is way above the United Nation’s index (Satterthwaite, 2003). The poverty gap ratio is also way above the generally accepted percentage standing at 9.0. Further, the nation’s largest population still lives below the national poverty measure, earning under 1.25 dollars a day. The statistics prove a stark failure in realization of the MDG.
Concerning child mortality reduction, infant fatalities and death of children under five year have remained high at 72 deaths per 1000 live births. Satterthwaite (2003) noted that child immunization for one year olds still lags at 80 percent which is against the 2015 target of 90%. The indication proves failure in efforts to accomplish the MDG.
Regarding improvement of maternal health as an MDG, statistics indicate high deaths during birth in Kenya standing at 488 fatalities per 100,000 births with some sections registering 1000/100, 000. There has been a notable decline in proportion of women seeking antenatal care visits from 64% to 52%. The data showcases a staggering failure in pursuit of the MDG.
References
Sambu, D. K., & Tarhule, A. (2013). Progress of water service providers in meeting millennium development goals in Kenya. African Geographical Review , 32 (2), 105-124.
Satterthwaite, D. (2003). The Millennium Development Goals and urban poverty reduction: great expectations and nonsense statistics. Environment and Urbanization , 15 (2), 179-190.
