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"The award of title deeds to members of
the Ogiek community is also part of the government's efforts to
streamline land matters in the country."
Kenyatta Day Speech 20th October 2005
SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY HON. MWAI KIBAKI, C.G.H., M.P., PRESIDENT
AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE REPUBLIC OF
KENYA DURING THE KENYATTA DAY CELEBRATIONS AT NYAYO NATIONAL
STADIUM, NAIROBI, 20TH OCTOBER, 2005
Fellow Kenyans,
I am indeed pleased to once again join my fellow Kenyans in
commemorating our national heroes day. This is an important day in
which we celebrate the achievements of our patriots who fought for
the independence of our country. We also remember the many modern
day heroes, who have played a sterling role in the growth and
development of our nation.
On this day I salute Kenyans wherever they are gathered within and
outside the country. I also convey, on behalf of all Kenyans, our
appreciation to our friends who have joined us in celebrating this
occasion.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
This year, we commemorate our national heroes day at a time when
we are deliberating on a new constitutional dispensation. The
national heroes whose achievements we celebrate today undertook a
similar exercise at Lancaster House over 42 years ago.
As we celebrate this day, I call upon Kenyans to emulate the
patriotic and selfless spirit that guided our national heroes in
working out the independence constitution. We must put aside our
personal ambitions and reflect soberly on the future of our
country. Our aim should be the enactment of a constitution that
will enable present and future generations to enjoy an enduring
heritage of national stability, peace and prosperity.
As I pledged to Kenyans in 2002, the enactment of a new
constitution has remained a priority of my government. In carrying
out this exercise, we all wanted to see a document that reflects
the wishes of the majority of Kenyans and that will protect the
rights and freedoms of the people, and ensure the stability and
prosperity of our nation.
Together, we have come a long way towards achieving this objective.
As we conclude this exercise next month, I urge Kenyans not to
allow differences of opinion on the constitution to divide them.
As a social contract governing our social, economic and political
intercourse, the constitution should strengthen our bonds as one
people and should never be the basis for social divisions and
polarization of the nation.
In this regard, I call upon leaders not to divide Kenyans, but
instead provide objective and truthful leadership. I also
challenge leaders to observe honesty and integrity during the
on-going campaigns.
Fellow Kenyans,
The making of a new constitution is part of our collective effort
to lay a firm foundation for sustainable socio-economic
development and the entrenchment of the rule of law. As we
deliberate on the constitution, therefore, let us also rededicate
ourselves to the ideals of nation building. We remember the
generation of our founding fathers for having fought for
independence.
Let us strive to be remembered by future generations for building
a strong economy and a vibrant democracy.
I take this opportunity to thank all Kenyans for remaining
committed to our working nation in the last three years. It is as
a result of their hard work that real gross domestic product
expanded by 4.3 percent in 2004.
I am encouraged to note that this growth is reflected in all
sectors of the economy.
In pursuing our goals of national development, my government has
continued to pay close attention to those sectors where the
majority of our people derive their livelihood.
In particular, my government has taken systematic measures to
improve the business environment for micro and small enterprises.
These enterprises contribute over 18 percent of Kenya's GDP and 72
percent of employment. The empowerment of the informal sector will
therefore benefit the majority of our people and accelerate the
pace of economic growth.
Through the Export Promotion Council, we have initiated further
measures to enable small enterprises access external markets
through business support services. In addition, we have begun
reviving the Kenya Industrial Estates to enable it provide credit
and business development services to micro and small enterprises.
To further strengthen the informal sector, public Universities as
well as other public post-secondary school training institutions
have introduced entrepreneurship programmes targeted at micro and
small businesses. I challenge those engaged in micro and small
enterprises to take advantage of the training opportunities
available in order to improve their businesses and become more
competitive.
Fellow Kenyans,
I am aware that the lack of adequate infrastructure is a major
constraint facing informal sector operators. My government is,
therefore, reviving infrastructural projects across the country
that had stalled. Once completed, the facilities will provide
worksites and common amenities including water and electric power.
In addition, my government is committed to improving the living
and working conditions in our urban areas. As part of this
commitment, I initiated the slum-upgrading programme in October
last year. This prgramme is intended to upgrade the living
environment of slum residents by providing basic services such as
shelter, health, security, employment and income generation
opportunities.
The programme will also regularize tenure of ownership and provide
infrastructural services such as access roads, water supply,
sewerage, refuse collection, street lighting, schools, markets,
sites for small enterprises, social halls and playing grounds.
This programme is being piloted in Kibera slums and will be rolled
out to other urban areas throughout the country.
Every citizen of Kenya has a right to live in a secure, clean and
well-planned environment. To this end, the National Housing
Corporation will now focus more on provision of cheap rental
houses as a way of addressing the housing problems being faced by
workers and especially by Kenyans living in slums.
Besides the informal sector, my government has continued to
implement measures to support agriculture, which is the main
source of livelihood for majority of our people. In the current
budget, my government has sought to empower our farmers by
introducing tax concessions and policy reforms. Further, my
government is committed to doubling the share of government
resources to this sector in the next three years.
In particular, my Government recognises the critical role played
by co-operatives in empowering farmers. For this reason, my
Government has introduced reforms to ensure an enabling policy and
legal environment for the growth of a vibrant and self-sustaining
co-operative movement.
In the dairy sub-sector, my Government has revived the New Kenya
Co-operative Creameries. Since its revival, producer prices for
milk have increased substantially. This has improved incomes for
dairy farmers. We have also increased and stabilized payments to
maize and wheat farmers, while sugarcane farmers are now receiving
prompt payment for their produce.
With regard to land, the government has finalised the modalities
of implementing the recommendations contained in the Report on
Illegal and Irregular Allocation of Public Land. In the meantime,
the government has initiated some of the most ambitious land and
settlements reforms in our history.
In the Coast Province, for example, the government has established
a total of 76 Settlement Schemes covering over 230,000 hectares of
land and settled 64,600 families. In the Rift Valley we have begun
resettling families evicted from the Mau forest. The award of
title deeds to members of the Ogiek community is also part of the
government's efforts to streamline land matters in the country.
I urge leaders not to politicise land matters, and instead to
support the government's efforts in helping the landless to
acquire land. It is the right of Kenyans to own land.
With respect to water, the government has increased investment in
the water sector five-fold from 2.3 billion Kenya Shillings three
years ago to 10.4 billion Kenya shillings in the current financial
year. We have also established the Water Services Trust Fund to
support water schemes that help the rural and urban poor to access
water.
In regard to arid and semi arid areas, we have allocated 1.5
billion Kenya shillings for rehabilitation and construction of
boreholes and water pans. These measures are intended to improve
access to water, especially by rural communities.
We are also supporting livestock farmers through enhanced disease
control measures and improved marketing of livestock products.
Over the past year, the government has established disease free
zones at the Coast. We have already begun exporting thousands of
livestock to overseas markets.
My government will continue with its programme of supporting our
livestock farmers by rehabilitating disease control infrastructure
in various parts of the country and promoting the development of
abattoirs in the main livestock production areas. In regard to
processed meat products for export my Government has re-possessed
the assets of the Kenya Meat Commission to address this crucial
market outlet.
The revival of Kenya Meat Commission will not only contribute to
Kenya's exports, but also provide employment and enhance the
incomes of livestock farmers.
Fellow Kenyans,
The development of infrastructure is critical to the growth of the
economy.
Over the last three years, we have engaged in the rehabilitation
and gravelling works of 1,233 kilometres of roads. In the last
financial year alone, 35 road construction projects worth 23
billion Kenya Shillings were awarded. We will continue allocating
more resources to this vital sector. In addition, the Government
remains committed to improving road safety, security and comfort
of passengers.
Fellow Kenyans,
Information and communications technology is an important aspect
of infrastructure. Indeed, while the economies of the 19th and
20th centuries, were driven by networks of railways and highways,
modern economies are being driven by networks of digital highways.
Economic growth is today driven by the knowledge and service-based
sectors, where ease of information transactions is a key
determinant of success.
My Government recognizes this global trend and has initiated
measures to create a modern and efficient telecommunications
infrastructure in order to position Kenya as a hub of industrial,
commercial, financial and I.C.T. services in the region.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Our youth are the hope of this nation. I am aware that our youth
are facing numerous challenges especially with regard to
employment opportunities due to many years of neglect of the
economy. We are addressing this situation through revitalization
of the economy that has resulted in improved prospects for growth.
The 4.3 percent economic growth achieved last year has given us
confidence that we are moving on the right path. This year, the
indications are that we shall achieve an economic growth rate
exceeding 5 percent. This means that more jobs are being created
in every sector of our economy.
However, we need to make deliberate efforts to open ways for the
youth to play a more active role in the development of our country.
This is the only way they can accumulate the necessary experience
to assume leadership roles.
In this regard, I am pleased to note that the Proposed New
Constitution addresses the plight of the youth and removes
barriers that are hindering the youth from realization their full
potential in fulfilling their dreams. I am glad to note that we
have recorded remarkable achievements in educating our young
people. Primary school enrolment has increased tremendously since
the introduction of the Free Primary Education Programme. There is
no greater investment that a nation can make than that of
educating its young people. In order to provide our young people
with equal opportunities for education, my government has targeted
resources to disadvantaged areas. We have also introduced bursary
schemes for poor children in secondary schools.
In recognition of the importance of literacy in information and
communication technologies, I recently officially launched the
pilot NEPAD e-schools project in Isiolo. This is an initial step
towards the integration of Information and communication
technology in our mainstream education system. This programme will
be rolled out to other schools throughout the country.
With regard to women, we should recognize the role played by Women
in the development and well-being of this nation. Wherever I go in
this country, I see women at the center of social and economic
activities. On daily basis, women are managing our farms and are
actively involved in business and providing services in education,
health and other public and private sectors.
Over the years, women have not ascended to positions of leadership
commensurate with their numbers, skills and contribution to the
development of this country. I am encouraged by the fact that the
proposed constitution addresses the issue of gender equality and
equity so as to correct the imbalance which has developed over
years and which has discriminated against women. This is a major
step for a forward-looking nation.
Fellow Kenyans,
This is the first time in the history of this country that the
people of Kenya will be participating in a referendum. Referendums
are an expression of the highest level of people participation in
a democratic process.
Referendums do not happen all the time because they deal with
issues of extraordinary importance to a country. They are also
conducted in countries that have achieved high levels of democracy.
On 21st of November, we shall all be participating in a historical
referendum to decide whether we adopt the Proposed New
constitution or remain with the current constitution.
Fifteen years ago, we embarked on a journey to write a new
constitution which truly reflects our collective aspirations of
freedom, justice and prosperity for all. A constitution is a
document that is drawn out of compromise and consensus because a
lot of interests have to be balanced. Real democracy is about
accommodation of the broader interests of all the citizens.
We are at a historical milestone and we should all be proud to be
participating in this process. Therefore, it is important that we
go through this referendum process peacefully and with dignity.
Let us, as I have repeatedly stated, study and appreciate the
content of the Proposed New Constitution and its contribution to
our lives and the peace and development our country.
The Government has made a major effort to make the proposed
constitution available to all of you. This will enable you to
check and cross-check what some people are telling you because
some may be out to mislead you. I urge you to make your decision,
not based on hearsay or speculation, but on your own understanding
of the meaning and the benefits of the new constitution.
Finally, we now have a unique opportunity to entrench our
nationhood through the Proposed New Constitution.
I call on all of you to come out and express your democratic right
so as to pull ourselves out of the past, in the spirit of
reconciliation and move forward to build a new Kenya. In this
regard, and in order to ensure that all Kenyans get an opportunity
to express their will through the referendum, the Government has
declared November 21st, a public holiday.
"Kazi iendelee"
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