APRM • SECOND COUNTRY REVIEW REPORT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA 2.58 Poverty is much more widespread in the rural areas (50.5%) compared to urban areas (33.5%). Poverty levels are worse in the arid and semi-arid lands of North-Eastern Kenya compared to the central and western regions. For example, in Turkana, Mandera and Wajir counties over 80% of the people live below the poverty line compared to Nairobi, and Kiambu counties where poverty levels are less than 25%. 2.59 Among some of the causes of poverty and inequality are historical inequalities and marginalization, high levels of unemployment, especially among the youth and women, lack of skills, lack of resources, especially land, and limited access to markets. Shocks including food price inflation, droughts or floods, illness, and death in the family, especially among the poor and most vulnerable are key causes of poverty in Kenya. 2.60 Addressing these issues is critical to laying the foundation for Kenya’s inclusive and sustained economic growth and development as well as promoting social harmony. Kenya’s long-term development strategy, Vision 2030, aims at transformation, industrialization and a high quality of life to all citizens. It emphasizes equity through fast job creation; poverty reduction, and other measures to improve income distribution: promoting the participation of youth, women and persons with disabilities in economic and political processes. These goals are operationalized and progress monitored through the Medium-Term Plans. Critical points to address include the following: i. While sustaining the current economic growth rates through stable macroeconomic environment, expanding infrastructure, Kenya needs to pay more attention to improving access to and the quality of basic social services: education and skills training, health care, water and sanitation. ii. Current poverty reduction and equity enhancing measures (especially the special funds and social protection) need to be deepened and widened to reach more people. iii. Improving governance, reigning in on corruption and ensuring adequate monitoring of public programmes are critical to ensure that more people are reached with available resources, especially in the hard-to-reach areas. iv. In addition to the ongoing curriculum review for primary and secondary education, it is important to review the current approach and practices in early childhood development to ensure a comprehensive approach as the foundation for future skills development and a prosperous society. 4. 2.61 Gender Inequality and the Two-Thirds Rule Gender inequality in Kenya was an overarching issue in 2006, and was pervasive in all areas of women’s lives. In 2016, it is clear that government and non-state actors have paid great attention to redressing a challenge that covers over a half of the population. Strides have been made in developing legal, policy, institutional and programmatic frameworks that address the political, socio-economic and cultural rights of women. Nonetheless, there are persistent challenges flowing from decades of unequal gender relations that are preventing Kenyans from realising the aspiration of gender equality as stated in the Constitution. At the heart of this are cultural and societal norms that perpetuate discrimination against women | 46 |