President Uhuru Kenyatta has appointed Dr. Julius M. Muia as the new Director General (DG) of the Kenya Vision 2030 Delivery Secretariat for a period of three years. Dr Muia replaces Mr. Mugo Kibati whose term ended in 2013 after serving for four years.
The announcement was made by the Chairman of the Vision 2030 Delivery Board Dr James Mwangi.
‘’On behalf of the Board, I am very happy to announce the appointment of Dr Julius Muia as the Director General of the Kenya Vision 2030 Delivery Secretariat. He is one of the outstanding leaders in our country with a distinguished career in the private sector and public service. He is not only a great scholar, but an experienced administrator and a gifted visionary with a reputation for representing great ideals,’’ said Dr Mwangi as he made the announcement.
Since April 2008 Dr. Julius Muia has served as the Secretary of the National Economic and Social Council a top advisory government think tank which among other things is credited with facilitating the formulation of Vision 2030.
Dr Muia, an alumnus of the University of Nairobi School of Business graduated with a first class honors degree in Bachelor of Commerce. He acquired his Masters Degree and was later awarded PhD in Finance from the same university in 2012.
Dr. Muia has previously served as the Chief Operating Officer at Housing Finance, head of finance in Unga Group and Lonrho Hotels as well as Auditor with PriceWaterhouse among many other roles in a career spanning three decades.
In his new role, the Director General will be responsible for driving Kenya towards the realization of Vision 2030. The Kenya Vision 2030 is the national long-term development policy that aims to transform Kenya into a newly industrializing, middle-income country providing a high quality of life to all its citizens by 2030 in a clean and secure environment. The Vision comprises of three key pillars and a foundation: Economic; Social; Political; Enablers and Macro.
Adding his comments on the new appointment, Vision 2030 Delivery Board Chairman Dr James Mwangi said: “Dr Muia brings valuable know-how to the Secretariat and will be an asset to the facilitating team. His knowledge of economic affairs and hands-on experience will be invaluable as we look to define more transformative and impactful solutions as we maintain our successes.”
The new DG is taking over as the Second Medium Term Plan (MTP II) is coming to a close next year, having started in 2013 as the second series of five year medium term plans of the Kenya Vision 2030. The plan was prepared and implemented under the Kenya Constitution 2010 which significantly altered the governance structure by creating a two tier government – a National Government and 47 county governments.
The review of MTP II shows that, the economy recorded growth rates of 5.7%, 5.3% and 5.6% in 2013, 2014 and 2015 respectively while making great strides in various sectors. Dr Muia’s main priorities include supporting the next phase, Medium Term Plan III, by building on the achievements of the MTP II and addressing the gaps and challenges arising from the same to ensure the Vision is realized.