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Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has said the government is putting in place measures to cushion Kenyans from the high cost of living.

In a statement through his press secretary Kibisu Kabatesi, Mudavadi said the government has been forced to make painful decisions to manage the country’s debt.

“We have had to make painful decisions to manage our national debt for which the previous regime borrowed to stay afloat. No doubt there is pain that we are taking, but it is not in vain. Honestly, it is short-time pain for long time gain,” he said.

He said taxes were providing improved healthcare, allowing citizens to become home owners and ensure National Social Security Fund (NSSF) has enough funds to offer benefits to contributors in retirement.
He insisted that the government had kept its campaign pledges and will continue to deliver as they promised.

“Electoral promises are made based on information available at the time. We have kept the majority of campaign pledges. But we live in a fluid society and in national interest, we always must refine and improve on promises we make,” he said.

Mudavadi said the first six months were spent settling down and putting the right talent in the right places.

“We have infused “Whole-of-Government” approach to breakdown the traditional silo mentality in serving the public. Silos in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) are being torn down in favour of inclusive “delivering-as-one” approach in service delivery,” stated the PCS.

Mongrel

On government and opposition dialogue, he described it as healthy as long as it is in the interest of the nation, saying that constructive engagement is the best way forward.

“Anarchy is never the answer but the refuge of the coward…the foundation of any thriving democratic society lies in the principle that power is vested in the people, who express their will, voice their preferences and aspirations through the election process.

“It is foolhardy that after voters have made their decision, leaders sit to void that popular decision and form a mongrel of a government,” he explained.

He reiterated the critical role that performance contracting plays saying the government has a five-year contract with Kenyans built around key priorities.