MOMBASA, Kenya — Principal Secretary for Economic Planning Boniface Makokha has called for stronger partnerships, better data systems, and bold financing strategies as Kenya and the global community race to rescue the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) before the 2030 deadline.
Speaking during a multi-stakeholder conference in Mombasa, the PS underscored that the meeting comes at a pivotal moment in the global development agenda, with new data revealing that SDG implementation worldwide remains below 35 percent.
The conference, themed “Race to 2030: Leveraging Strategic Partnerships, Collaboration and Innovative Financing,” brought together government agencies, development partners, civil society, private sector actors, academia, and youth networks—highlighting growing consensus that achieving the SDGs requires shared effort and collective accountability.
According to the 2025 UN SDG Progress Report, only 35 percent of global targets are currently on track, while 65 percent are either lagging or regressing.
“The statistics are more than numbers—they are a reminder that millions remain unreached, and that the world is drifting,” Makokha said.
The PS noted that the Pact for the Future, adopted during the 2024 Summit of the Future, clearly asserted that governments alone cannot deliver sustainable development, calling for more robust engagement from all sectors of society.
Similarly, at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville, global leaders warned of a worsening “development emergency” and urged major reforms, including stronger domestic resource mobilization, a fairer global financial system, sustainable private investment, and new mechanisms to reach underserved communities.
Back home, the PS highlighted encouraging national progress, with Kenya recording improvements in 103 of the 168 SDG indicators—equivalent to 61 percent—thanks to coordinated efforts by the government, counties, partners, and communities.
However, he emphasized that data gaps remain one of the biggest obstacles to achieving the goals.
“Without timely and reliable data, implementation stalls. We cannot measure progress honestly, and we risk leaving behind the very communities we aim to serve,” he warned.
Kenya now reports 171 SDG indicators, a milestone made possible by collaboration between KNBS, ministries, and county governments. The PS applauded partners for supporting the development of the Kenya SDG Data Portal, which has enhanced transparency and evidence-based decision-making.
He also announced that Kenya will host the 2026 Global Data Festival, positioning the nation as a regional hub for data innovation and digital development.
Makokha said Kenya has aligned many of its flagship reforms under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) with the SDGs.
-
Agriculture:
Over six million farmers now access fertilizer and extension services, while expanded aggregation centers and irrigation rehabilitation have strengthened food security. -
Enterprise Development:
The Hustler Fund has disbursed more than KES 74 billion, expanding access to credit for millions of Kenyans.
Additionally, the Ksh 5 billion NYOTA Programme, launched with the World Bank, is supporting 70 youth in every ward with capital for business growth. -
Sustainable Cities and Communities:
The Affordable Housing Programme has created over 330,000 direct jobs and is delivering dignified homes across the country.
The PS stressed that advancing SDG implementation in the final stretch to 2030 will depend heavily on real-time data, digital systems, and emerging technologies such as AI.
“These tools will help us deploy resources better, target interventions more accurately, and respond quickly to evolving challenges,” he said.
Makokha reiterated that meaningful SDG progress is not the responsibility of government alone. He emphasized the role of:
-
Private sector — for innovation and sustainable financing
-
Youth — who make up more than 70 percent of Kenya’s population
-
Persons living with disabilities, women, community networks, and the elderly — whose perspectives must shape national priorities
Stakeholders at the conference urged the government to strengthen collaboration across all sectors and ensure that no group is left behind as Kenya accelerates toward 2030.
As the global community enters the most crucial five-year window for SDG implementation, Kenya is doubling down on strategic partnerships, data-driven decision-making, and inclusive development.
“The clock is ticking,” the PS reminded participants. “But with shared vision, collaboration, and innovation, we can still achieve more than 80 percent of our targets by 2030.”
About The Author
