Kenya will continue playing its global role, President Uhuru Kenyatta says

Kenya will continue playing its rightful role to shoulder its global and regional responsibilities, President Kenyatta pledged at the UN General Assembly.

The President, who was applauded several times by the audience of Heads of State and Government at the United Nations General Assembly, said no country is too big or too small in size or economy to play its rightful role in making the world a better place for all.

"Kenya is a member in good standing of the international community and it intends to continue to shoulder its global and regional responsibilities," he said when he addressed the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday afternoon.

The President's address to the United Nations General Assembly, his first since coming into office, drew numerous applauses.

The President said Kenya has played a big role in the affairs of the United Nations this year having overseen several processes of the world body.

Kenya presided over the Conference of State parties of People living with Disabilities and has also presided over the United Nations Forest Forum. It has also co-chaired the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals.

Kenya is  currently presiding over the UNICEF Board, as it seeks to provide global leadership for issues of concern to the world's children and their well-being.

President Kenyatta also expressed his happiness with the many Kenyans who work for the United Nations both at its headquarters and also in peacekeeping missions as well as other UN stations around the world.

After addressing issues of global and regional implications that included epidemics, terrorism, climate change and development, President Kenyatta used his speech at the UN to expound on the transformational agenda of the Jubilee Government.

"We have re-engineered our system of governance, making it more democratic, inclusive, devolved and responsive," he said.

The President said Kenya has significantly expanded participation in political and development processes. He said the Government has undertaken several measures to empower women, the youth and vulnerable groups to play a bigger role in society.

The President cited the financial initiatives and training programs for women and youth.

He also touched on how the Government has prioritised the advancement of children's rights and welfare through initiatives that reduce mortality and morbidity.

President Kenyatta then congratulated First Lady Margaret Kenyatta for her successful 'Beyond Zero' campaign that is tapping into private sector support to improve maternal and child health throughout the country.

The President's recognition of the First Lady's efforts drew a huge applause from the audience of Heads of State and Governments in the assembly. On Tuesday, the First Lady was hosted by former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who is also a former US First Lady, in recognition for her efforts in conserving elephants in Kenya.

President Kenyatta said Kenya is on track to expand free education to include universal secondary education.

He said the objective of the Government's welfare programmes to support vulnerable groups was to build a more inclusive society.

"It is for this reason that my Government has implemented a social protection cash transfer programme to orphans and vulnerable children, persons with severe disabilities, and our elderly citizens.  This programme targets 450,000 households throughout Kenya," he said.

President Kenyatta said Kenya was a leading tourist destination that is also endowed with rare sceneries  and unique animals species.

He said Kenya attaches great value to conservation and will continue holding the rare animal species in trust for humanity and the audience responded with more cheers.

The President said Kenya remains at the heart of international efforts to mitigate and adapt to challenges relating to climate change.

"We continue to work towards achieving ten percent forest cover; we are well above global targets for renewable energy use; and fully support all measures agreed upon at the recent United Nations Environmental Assembly in Nairobi," he said.

President Kenyatta said Kenya was also playing a big role in promoting the integration of the East African region.

The integration process has allowed countries in East Africa to grow trade volumes and closer links are being established in other sectors, he said.

 

At the same time, President Kenyatta said a secure and stable Somalia will boost Kenya's prosperity.

The President, who spoke at a meeting to discuss Somalia chaired by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, said Kenya will continue supporting the government of Somalia until the whole country is secure.

Kenya will continue providing technical support to Somalia, which has been at war for more than last 20 years, the President said.

The President said securing Somalia will revitalise the tourism sector in Kenya which has been slowed down by terrorism.

He said a secure Somalia will also lead to better environmental conservation since this will provide better coordination to control poaching in some parts of the country.

The Head of State said a stable Somalia will bring more business for Kenya and it was in Kenya's interest to stay the course until normalcy returns to the neighbouring country.

He urged the government of Somalia to increase their efforts to build strong institutions to bring back normalcy to the country which has been wrecked by conflict for decades.

"As we degrade and defeat Al Shabaab, progress can only be anchored on political and institutional stability and Kenya will continue standing in solidarity with Somalia," he said.

The President also called on the international community to support the voluntary repatriation of refugees from Kenya to Somalia. The agreement to voluntarily repatriate refugees has been signed between Kenya, Somalia and UNHCR.

President Kenyatta urged Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud to make the repatriation process a priority because the more than half a million Somali refugees in Kenya are a human resource required in rebuilding their country.