Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro/ HANDOUTKiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro has outlined a policy agenda centred on free secondary education, expanded healthcare funding, job creation and manufacturing, a day after joining the People's Party of Kenya and announcing its entry into the opposition.
Nyoro said the proposals followed lessons he had drawn from previous national campaigns, arguing that political leaders needed to focus more on planning what they would deliver after elections.
“Governance needs more thought and is more engaging. In the long run, what gets fulfilled is what has been well thought out and planned,” Nyoro said.
Under the education proposals, Nyoro said free secondary education would be introduced from January 2028 as part of efforts to move towards free basic education.
He proposed financing the programme through Sh10 billion from the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF), Sh10 billion from counties' equitable share and Sh15 billion from the national government.
The proposed funding would cover about 9,500 senior secondary schools and 3.5 million learners, while also providing a Sh10,000 subsidy for boarding students, he said.
Nyoro also proposed establishing a national commission similar to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to harmonise employment and salaries for early childhood development and education (ECDE) teachers across the country.
The proposed arrangement would also allow ECDE teachers to transfer between counties without losing their jobs and provide a national platform for negotiations, he said.
He further proposed opening up teacher transfers for those who have served for less than five years in their first postings and waiving tax arrears owed by public universities.
Nyoro said the government should also facilitate payment of statutory dues and debts owed by universities, while developing a model to ensure all qualified students secure opportunities in higher education.
He estimated that an additional Sh80 billion would be required for the higher education funding model being considered.
On healthcare, Nyoro proposed that the government take ownership of the system managing healthcare while addressing what he described as a funding gap.
He proposed halving the National Social Security Fund contribution and redirecting about Sh40 billion to healthcare.
The proposed funding would support treatment of chronic illnesses, upgrading of health facilities and provision of medical supplies, while also helping reduce the burden of medical bills on families.
Nyoro also proposed establishing a Kenyan Doctors and Healthcare Workers Commission to handle employment and placement of health workers, saying the function should no longer be handled at county level.
He said additional health personnel would be hired using enhanced resources.
Job creation formed another major part of the proposals, with Nyoro calling for every Cabinet secretary to have specific employment targets for their sectors.
He proposed monthly or quarterly publication of data showing the number of net jobs created.
On manufacturing, Nyoro proposed reducing electricity costs and liberalising the power sector while leveraging Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) assets.
He said proceeds from a potential 35 per cent stake sale, which he estimated could raise close to Sh150 billion, should be reinvested in power generation.
Nyoro also called for a review of independent power producer arrangements, a revamped industrial policy and the creation of Special Economic Zones across parts of the Coast, including Mombasa, Kwale and Lamu.
He said the objective would be to establish an export-oriented industrial hub comparable to Shenzhen.
