National Assembly Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss Shollei has defended the Kenya Kwanza administration’s record, citing developments in infrastructure, healthcare, education and the blue economy.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV, Shollei argued that the government had moved from identifying longstanding systemic challenges to implementing solutions.
Infrastructure Projects
On infrastructure, Shollei said the administration inherited stalled road projects after contractors abandoned construction sites over unpaid bills.
She said the government had introduced new financing approaches to restart road construction.
According to Shollei, KSh177 billion has been paid to contractors, allowing work to resume on 6,000 kilometres of previously stalled roads.
She also highlighted projects targeting informal traders, including affordable housing units, modern markets and structured kiosks. She said the projects were intended to provide traders, including mama mboga, with more secure and decent spaces to conduct business.
SHA Healthcare
Shollei also defended the Social Health Authority (SHA) against criticism over its implementation.
She said 7.5 million Kenyans had already received medical treatment under the new healthcare framework.
Responding to criticism over outstanding payments owed to hospitals and other healthcare providers, Shollei argued that the debts also demonstrate that patients are accessing services through SHA.
“If SHA is not working, how come SHA owes hospitals money? It means the hospitals saw patients,” she said.
She called for greater attention to what she described as the system’s areas of progress rather than focusing solely on its challenges.
Blue Economy
Shollei also pointed to developments in the blue economy, particularly in coastal and lakeside communities.
She said seven fish landing sites had been completed, while construction was ongoing at an additional nine sites.
The projects are aimed at improving infrastructure for fishing communities and supporting economic activity around the sector.
Growth in TVET Enrollment
On education, Shollei highlighted an increase in enrollment at Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.
She said the number of students enrolled in TVET institutions had increased from 297,000 to 700,000.
“If education was not working, where do we have an increase of students going to TVETs?” she posed.
Shollei also cited a KSh728 billion education budget, describing it as the highest allocation since independence, alongside increased resources for higher education funding.
She said the figures demonstrated increased demand for technical and vocational training and greater investment in the education sector.
Shollei acknowledged that challenges remain but maintained that the government’s focus had shifted towards implementing projects and delivering services across different sectors.
