In a recent Cabinet meeting, key decisions were made to address pressing issues facing Kenya, including femicide, transportation, and energy supply.
A major development is the establishment of a presidential working group to formulate a strategy for tackling femicide in the country. The Cabinet approved the creation of this group, which will work in collaboration with various stakeholders, including religious leaders, parents, schools, and security agencies. The group’s main task will be to identify gaps in laws, enforcement, and societal attitudes that contribute to femicide. “The working group will be gazetted with specific terms of reference and tasked with providing actionable recommendations within 90 days,” the Cabinet stated. The initiative aims to create a coordinated approach to prevent femicide and ensure sustainable solutions.
In addition to addressing femicide, the Cabinet also approved the launch of the Clean Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) System to ease transportation challenges in the Nairobi Metropolitan Area. The Clean BRT Core Line 3 project will initially span 12.4 kilometers, connecting Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) to Dandora, with future extensions planned to Ngong Town and Tala. Expected to serve 357,000 passengers daily by 2035, the system will feature electric buses, cashless fare collection, real-time passenger information, and GPS-based vehicle tracking. This modern transport network aims to improve public transport efficiency and reduce congestion in Nairobi.
Another significant approval was the extension of the Government-to-Government (G-to-G) arrangement for importing refined petroleum products. This initiative helps reduce the demand for US dollars for petroleum imports and has contributed to stabilizing the shilling-dollar exchange rate, which currently stands at KSh 129. As a result, petrol prices have decreased from KSh 217 per litre to KSh 177, with the arrangement estimated to save Kenya $500 million per month.
President William Ruto acknowledged the Cabinet’s efforts, emphasizing, “It is not about some people, but all the people of Kenya.” He noted that, despite facing doubts, the government had focused on transformation and leadership throughout the year.