Kenyans are wary that the cost of living is likely to maintain an upward trajectory this year given the effects of prolonged drought and slowdown in the economy. This is a sticking point that the government ought to address and find ways to tame inflation and cushion citizens from high cost of goods and services in an environment of stagnant wages.

That the Cabinet is set for a retreat, starting tomorrow, to explore ways of addressing the economic challenges is welcome news. However, the public is expecting to see results, so it is not enough for the leadership to make only the right noises without taking tangible action. For instance, there is need to ensure that the cost of electricity is managed effectively as one way of ensuring that production costs remain stable and predictable. This way, it will be possible for investors to keep workers employed and cost of finished goods affordable.

There is also a real risk of consumers foregoing the convenience of digital transactions and money transfer since the cost has simply gone through the roof. It beats logic to burden ordinary citizens with high fees for digital services against the background of large profits made by banks and telecommunication companies. When costs become prohibitive, they run the risk of depressing spending, yet Kenya has been positioning itself as a regional digital powerhouse.

In education, policy makers at the Ministry would do well to find ways of bringing the cost of books, learning materials, school fees and levies manageable even if this will require the government to regulate or provide guidelines on what both private and public institutions charge given that in the last year, school managers had grown accustomed to charging fees four times annually.

The other sector government ought to pay particular attention to is the cost of health services and the practice by hospitals to deny patients treatment in the absence of upfront payment. Health is categorised as basic right in the Constitution and it is important that basic services be available to all, especially NHIF members. It beats logic for members to be turned away from a hospital even when their NHIF contributions are up to date. The idea that civil servants can and continue to enjoy special treatment under NHIF compared to other contributors also needs to be re-examined and any imbalances addressed. If these core sectors are managed well, the government will make great strides in easing the financial pressure many workers are