Millennium Development Goals in Kenya
Launch of the MDG Campaign in Kenya
The MDG campaign was initiated in Kenya in 2002 to raise awareness about the importance of the different dimensions of development included in the 8 goals; 18 targets and the over 40 different indicators that constitute the MDGs. Click here to view the goals and targets.
Guidelines on MDG reporting were shared with all the Permanent Secretaries by UNDP which also pledged UN system support to strengthening national capacity to track progress on MDGs. A small National MDG Task comprising Treasury, the UN system, donors, NGOs, CSOs and the private sector was created to spearhead the process by among other things, mobilising a national level response by proposing options to strengthen co-ordination among different stakeholders to help achieve the MDGs, as well as prioritizing the necessary development interventions and assistance required. It will also advise on the linkages between the MDGs and other national planning tools (GOK and partners). This campaign led to the preparation of the first MDG Report for Kenya that demonstrated progress towards the MDGs and was launched in July 2003.
As a result of the CSOs participation in the MDGR process and the need to take the MDGs campaign out of Nairobi and into the Regions as well as the role of CSOs in promoting advocacy and public education on MDGs, the CSOs campaign on MDGs was born. Led by Action Aid Kenya and the National Council of NGOs and coordinated by the RC secretariat, a highly visible national campaign was launched simultaneously in three provinces of Kenya, i.e. Eastern, North Eastern and Nyanza as well as in the capital Nairobi. In total more than 500 people were reached with the messages and over 40 CSOs were involved in the campaign. The aim was to broaden the reach to the rural grassroots where the majority of Kenyan's live.
Kenya was designated as one of the priority countries under the Millennium Project for 2004. Under this project, the Government of Kenya, the UN Country Team and other development partners will work with the Millennium Project team to conduct an MDGs-based needs assessment and to help identify the best ways to integrate the MDGs into Kenya's economic development priorities. The work will entail conducting a detailed study to identify specific public policy interventions and investments required for achieving the MDGs, as well as the resources required to fund these investments. For more information on the millennium project visit www.unmillenniumproject.org
MDGs Background