Poverty Eradication

Poverty is a situation in which a proportion of the population does not enjoy the satisfaction of basic human needs that have been recognized by the society depending on the level of economic and social development and local customs and practices.” The lower line is the food poverty line; the higher line is the total poverty line and includes both food and non-food commodities. The definition of the food poverty line is based on the standards used by most developing countries and WHO and as well as international organizations at present, People whose expenditures are lower than this minimum level are considered poor in terms of food. The method to define the total poverty line is to add the costs of non-food to the minimum expenditures. By adding this amount to the amount for the food poverty line, we have the total poverty line.

The 2030 Agenda acknowledges that eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty, is the greatest global challenge and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development.

The first Sustainable Development Goal aims to “End poverty in all its forms everywhere.

Its seven associated targets aim, among others, to eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women, and children of all ages living in poverty, and implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable

Causes of Poverty and Major Factors Contributing to Poverty

Limited and Poor Resources
Low levels of educational attainment, insufficient and unstable employment
The poor are not given sufficient conditions to access the law and their legitimate rights and interests are not protected
Demography-driven Causes
Risk of high vulnerability to natural disasters and other risks
Gender inequality negatively impacts the lives of women and children
Disease, mobility, and poor health: another factor pushing people into deep poverty
The Impact of Macroeconomic Policies and Reform Policies (Trade Liberalization, State-owned enterprises Reform, etc.) on Poverty

Priority actions on poverty eradication include:

improving access to sustainable livelihoods, entrepreneurial opportunities, and productive resources;
providing universal access to basic social services;
progressively developing social protection systems to support those who cannot support themselves;
empowering people living in poverty and their organizations;
addressing the disproportionate impact of poverty on women;
working with interested donors and recipients to allocate increased shares of ODA to poverty eradication; and
Intensify international cooperation for poverty eradication.

Poverty is a pressing problem in countries all over the world. Governments, leaders, and International Organizations, therefore, are actively searching for solutions to contain and eliminate poverty globally. The Government of Kenya takes poverty reduction as a cutting-through objective in the process of the country’s socio-economic development. Kenya has also declared its commitment to implement the Millennium Development Goals and poverty reduction objectives that were agreed upon. The poverty reduction and economic development process in Kenya has attained significant achievements, which are highly appreciated by the international community. Poverty reduction is the basic element to ensure social justice and sustainable growth; and in return, high and sustainable growth could bring about physical energy to support and provide opportunities for the poor to get out of poverty holes. Therefore, poverty reduction is an integrated part of the National, Sectoral, and Socio-Economic Development Strategy, and Annual Socio-Economic Development Plan.

We call upon ministries, private sectors, government agencies, county authorities, and mass organizations in your own capacity to reflect the objectives and institutional arrangements of this Poverty Eradication Initiative in your annual plan and budget. At the same time, we wish to receive continued realistic and effective support from donor communities, international organizations, and NGOs involved in economic development and poverty reduction.

PEACE Initiative (POVERTY ERADICATION AND COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT)