Policy Monitor, Issue 9 No. 4, April-June 2018 on Building Resilience to Droughts and Floods

Abstract

After many years, the Institute successfully hosted the KIPPRA Regional Annual Conference from 5th-7th June 2018 whose theme was “Building Resilience to Mitigate the Effects of Droughts and Floods”. The conference attracted stakeholders from national and county governments, private sector and international institutions. The conference provided a forum to address emergencies of drought and floods that so often affect the country. A list of Action Areas was presented at the end of the conference. Secondly, the Institute engaged various stakeholders in validating the Strategic Plan (2018/19-2022/23). This fourth Strategic Plan aims to consolidate the gains of the Institute over the 20 years and lay ground for a more effective, efficient and innovative Think Tank of the Government of Kenya. The inputs from stakeholders will be crucial in completing the Strategic Plan. Lastly, it is important to observe during the Budget Speech by the Cabinet Secretary, The National Treasury and Planning, on 14th June 2018, there were strong indications that the “Big Four” agenda will receive substantial financial allocations. This is expected to boost investments and support a strong and inclusive economic growth. However, high public debt levels will continue putting fiscal pressure especially due to declining exports to regional markets. This edition provides a snapshot of the expected challenges towards fiscal consolidation.