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{
    "id": 796788,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/796788/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 47,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta",
    "speaker_title": "His Excellency the President",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 168,
        "legal_name": "Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta",
        "slug": "uhuru-kenyatta"
    },
    "content": "Our people from that part of the country can now easily travel to their national capital Nairobi in a matter of hours, contrary to the past when they used to take days. They now feel that they have a reason to be part and proud to be called Kenyans. Those investments in infrastructure laid the firmest foundation for the broad and shared prosperity that Kenyans expect. This term, with your support, we must complete them. I have already spoken about the Big Four Agenda in other forums. It deserves me talking about it, not least because I will rely on you to pass the legislation upon which it depends, but most importantly to convince you to join me as agents of the desired change. I wish to speak on the reasoning that informs this agenda. If you leave the House with a clearer idea of your role as leaders in this development programme, I will be amongst the happiest of men. When we conceptualised about the Big Four from discussions that we held with Kenyans about their problems and prospects particularly, as we went about seeking their support, they were very clear on what priorities they would want us to focus on. Kenyans want their families kept safe from the catastrophic bills from medical care. They want skilled jobs, especially in manufacturing. They want to be food secure and dignified affordable homes. I believe that the Big Four serves each of those. By providing affordable universal healthcare, we will quite simply save lives. Already, extensive work has been done to bring access to quality and affordable health services. In our previous term, we increased health facilities from 9,000 in 2013 to 11,000 in 2017. Our National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) coverage widened from a membership of 3.8 million in 2013 to 7.2 million currently. We expanded NHIF coverage for expectant mothers and raised deliveries by skilled attendants from 44 per cent in 2013 to 66 per cent in 2017. Access to antiretroviral (ARV) drugs by expectant mothers has significantly increased. Currently, 94 per cent of HIV positive expectant mothers attending anti-natal clinics across the country access ARVs. Mother to child HIV transmission has consequently fallen. As a result of other various health intervention programmes, including the mosquito net programme, incidences of malaria have dropped from 11 per cent to 8 per cent. Infant mortality has fallen from 52 per 1,000 to 39 per 1,000 live births. Under five years mortality came down from 74 per 1,000 to 52 per 1,000. Maternal mortality dropped from 488 per 100,000 to 362 per 100,000. Despite the improvements we have recorded, there is no doubt that we still have a way to go. We need to, in particular, take steps to improve on immunisation through much closer collaboration between the national Government and county governments. With regards to immunisation, since devolution, it has dropped from 90 per cent to 70 per cent. After the devolution conference of last week, I am happy to inform you that county governments are keen and willing to work with the national Government towards putting together a programme to up our immunisation to where we were, if not better. During the period, we have also addressed the The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposes only. Acertified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}