Govt to spend Sh500m for Kenya@50 on 'legacy' projects

The government now plans to spend the Sh500 million set aside for jubilee celebrations on long-term projects.

The Kenya @50 Secretariat said it would focus on “legacy projects” including a paediatric unit at Kenya National Hospital and rehabilitation of Mathari Mental hospital.

These, the secretariat noted, would remain etched in the minds of Kenyans other than spending the money on short-life engagements.

The secretariat’s chairman, Dr Ali Wario, the Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Arts and Culture, Wednesday said they were not going to use the money on one-day projects but those that would obtain good legacies.

“This is not going to be a one-day party. We want to ensure what we do carry good legacies for ages to come. We are really opening up our minds now and looking at those things we think are really important to all of us,” Dr Wario said.

The change in plan follows the controversy that emerged after it was revealed that a committee had planned to use over Sh2 billion most on small issues such as identifying heroes who were to be recognised.

Dr Wario also said the committee was no longer interested much on the millions of money to be spent but on the vitality of what they plan to do.

UHURU PARK MONUMENT

Other projects in the pipeline include a Kenya@50 monument to be put up at Uhuru Park in addition to planting at least 50 million trees across the country. A number of students will also receive study scholarships.

The country’s border points will also be rebranded with messages capturing the 50 years of independence.

On the midnight of December 11, a day to Jamhuri Day, a team from the secretariat will hoist Kenya’s flag at Uhuru Park to mark the jubilee celebrations.

“We want to make sure that in several years to come Kenyans will be able to relate with what we have done” added the Cabinet Secretary during a media briefing at Serena Hotel.

The secretariat also said it had received many suggestions from Kenyans on what should be considered after the government agreed to put aside Sh500 million for the jubilee activities.

Initially a committee chaired by Interior Principal Secretary Mutea Iringo proposed a budget of Sh2.5 billion for the celebrations that showed lavish spending on activities and projects such as billboards, statues and entertainment as the country marks its golden jubilee in the second week of December this year.

However, President Kenyatta later dissolved the committee saying the team was "out of touch" with the prevailing financial mood in government that called for frugal use of resources following a public outcry over the planned extravagant spending.