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President Kibaki appoints
committee to spearhead dialogue
Written By: pps , Posted: Sat, Jan 19, 2008
President Mwai Kibaki on Friday formed a top-level political
committee to spearhead national political dialogue, national
reconciliation and to promote international understanding and good
relations on the political problems facing the country following
the recently concluded elections.
The Members of the Committee are as follows:
1. H.E. Kalonzo Musyoka, Vice President and Minister for Home
Affairs, Team Leader
2. Hon. Prof. George Saitoti, Minister for Provincial
Administration and Internal Security
3. Hon. Moses Wetangula, Minister for Foreign Affairs
4. Hon. Amos Kimunya, Minister for Finance
5. Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta, Minister for Local Government
6. Hon. Chirau Mwakwere, Minister for Transport
7. Hon. Martha Karua, Minister for Justice and Constitutional
Affairs
8. Hon. Amos Wako, Attorney General
9. Hon. Mutula Kilonzo, MP
10. Any other person co-opted by the Committee as appropriate
The joint cecretaries for the committee will be:
1. Mr. Ludiko Chweya, Senior Lecturer, Department of Political
Science, University of Nairobi,
2. Mr. Geoffrey Gichira Kibaara, Director of Legal Affairs,
Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
Meanwhile President Kibaki has assured members of the Kenya
Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) and COTU that the Government was
ready to provide the necessary assistance to cushion the private
sector and Kenyan workers from the effects of the current
political situation.
Speaking separately to KEPSA and COTU officials at State House
Nairobi during consultative meetings with their representatives,
President Kibaki encouraged them to recommend specific approaches
that would be adopted by the Government in ensuring that the
Kenyan economy was not disrupted.
"We are ready to take all the necessary measures to ensure that
both local and international investors recover from the losses
they made as a result of the current political situation,"
President Kibaki told the KEPSA group.
Regarding calls for mass action, the President said the Government
was against the move as it would not only lead to destruction of
property but also disrupt the smooth running of business
activities.
He regretted that some leaders were inciting wananchi to engage in
acts of lawlessness, saying genuine leaders do not mislead people
for political expediency.
"Leaders must realize that the common mwananchi suffers greatly
when people take to the streets, compromising livelihoods through
loss of jobs," said President Kibaki.
The President, once again, expressed the Government's willingness
to dialogue with all leaders in the search for a lasting solution
to the political situation and stressed the importance of dealing
with the issue soberly, and by leaders reasoning together.
Saying the Government will remain steadfast in its commitment to
providing a conducive environment for investment, President Kibaki
expressed confidence that the country will recover from the
current political challenges.
"I have no doubt that we will recover and the economy will get
back on track," the Head of State said.
The President also assured those affected by the post-election
violence that the Government will assist them to resettle on their
land, saying they will be provided with adequate security and be
helped to rebuild their houses.
Speaking during the meeting, members of the Kenya Private Sector
Alliance led by the Chairman Mr. Steven Smith said they were ready
to facilitate dialogue between the parties involved in the search
for a solution to the political problem.
They blamed the international media for portraying the country
negatively, saying the Government Public Relations agencies needed
to come out strongly to rectify the dented image abroad.
Present were Finance Minister Amos Kimunya, the Head of Public
Service and Secretary to the Cabinet Amb. Francis Muthaura and
Trade PS David Nalo.
And speaking to the representatives of the workers umbrella body
at a meeting attended by among others COTU Chairman Mr. Rajabu
Mwondi and Secretary General Francis Atwoli, the Head of State
underscored the need to safeguard the interests of the Kenyan
worker.
President Kibaki said the Kenyan worker would be a great loser if
some leaders continued inciting their followers into mass protests
instead of giving dialogue a chance.
The President said the problems facing the country needed
collective action from all Kenyans, noting that peace was a
cornerstone of economic development.
The Head of State emphasized the need for the country to get back
on the path of economic growth to ensure that more jobs were
created for the youthful population.
The COTU officials said they were ready to work with the President
to ensure that Kenya regained its position as a regional economic
powerhouse that was at peace with itself and a driver of regional
economic integration.
President Kibaki once again reiterated his willingness to embrace
dialogue, noting that he has appointed a political committee to
spearhead national dialogue and reconciliation.
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