SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY HON. MWAI KIBAKI, C.G.H., M.P., PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE DEFENCE FORCES OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA ON THE OCCASION OF THE 48TH MADARAKA DAY CELEBRATIONS, NYAYO STADIUM, 1ST JUNE 2011
Fellow Kenyans, I am delighted to join you, as we commemorate the 48th anniversary of our attainment of internal self-rule. On 1st June 1963, our founding father, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, stood on the stairs of Harambee House and proclaimed to the world that we had attained our Madaraka. On that day, flanked by his compatriots, Mzee Kenyatta outlined the vision of our country. He eloquently spoke of the need to fight ignorance, disease and poverty.
On this day, therefore, we take stock of the journey we have travelled as a nation, in living up to the cherished dream of our founding fathers. We also thank God for his great mercies and blessings and dedicate our nation unto him.
Fellow Kenyans,
The vision outlined by our founding fathers has been the inspiration behind the Government‘s heavy investments in the social sectors. Our aim has been that all our children have a decent education that will provide them with good prospects for the future. Primary, secondary and university education sectors have greatly expanded. Today, close to 9 million children are enjoying free primary education while our total university enrollment has reached the 200,000 mark.
I am proud of the many Kenyans who, after work and on weekends, go to institutions of higher learning, to advance their knowledge and skills, so that they can make more significant contributions to our country.
In order to consolidate our gains in the education sector, a taskforce has been established to review Education, Training and Research. This taskforce will propose an appropriate education management system at the national and county levels.
In the health sector, the Government has invested massive resources to improve services to our people. In 1997, the country had only 1,200 public health facilities. These have now risen to 7,260.
Many of the new public health facilities have been developed using the Constituency Development Fund and the Economic Stimulus Package. These initiatives have brought healthcare closer to the people across the country. We have stepped up immunization against preventable diseases.
This service is free throughout the country in public health facilities. As a result, deaths among children under the age of 5 years, have reduced by 36 per cent.
Besides immunization, major strides have been made in the anti-malaria campaign. Eleven million mosquito nets have so far been provided to Kenyan families as a defensive barrier against malaria infections. Deaths
from malaria among children less than 5 years of age in malaria endemic districts have dropped by 44 per cent.
As a result, our country has not experienced malaria epidemics in the last 8 years.
Another health challenge of our time has been HIV/ AIDS. Despite the continued spread of the disease globally, Kenya, has in the last decade, registered tremendous success in curbing transmission.
Kenya has recorded a drop in HIV prevalence from a high of 13.4 per cent in 2000 to 6.2 percent last year. Overall, Kenya is one of the countries with the highest number of patients on the life prolonging Anti Retroviral Treatment. Currently, about 460,000 patients are on treatment up from a mere 2,000 in
2003.
This treatment is provided free of charge in public health facilities. Despite these gains however, all Kenyans must be alert to the dangers of HIV/AIDS. Personal responsibility and behavioural change is critical if we are to win the war against this deadly disease.
Fellow Kenyans,
The other great vision that our founding fathers had was the fight against poverty. This fight will be won through a growing and equitable economy.
Last year the economy grew by 5.6 per cent. Our VISION TWENTY THIRTY,
targets a sustained 10 per cent economic growth per annum. We must,
therefore, make every effort to ensure that we remain on the growth path.
To grow our economy, we have placed much emphasis on agriculture and
livestock.
These sectors produce a significant portion of our GDP and
provide a source of livelihood for majority of our population.
The agriculture sector achieved a growth rate of 6.3 per cent last year, up from negative 4.6 per cent in 2008.
The Government will continue to
support our farmers and livestock keepers in their activities. This year,
we will spend 400 million shillings to provide free seed to farmers and
3.8 billion shillings for fertilizer subsidy throughout the country. We
will also continue with our livestock off-take programme in areas hit by
drought.
These are short term measures to cope with the drought situation and
mitigate on increasing food prices. Other specific measures being taken to
boost agriculture and livestock sectors include:
- Kenya Agricultural productivity and Agri-business programme.
- Small scale Horticultural marketing programme.
- Irrigated food security economic stimulus programme.
- Construction of abattoirs in Northern Kenya.
- Promotion of the fishing industry through construction of fish ponds in
several constituencies around the country.
These programmes, in conjunction with the steps we are taking to upgrade
roads, electricity, and marketing infrastructure in the rural areas, will
help transform agriculture into a profitable commercial venture. This will
ensure food security and create employment for our people.
Fellow Kenyans,
Although the economy has grown over the last few years, it has not been
able to create sufficient jobs for our well-educated and skilled young
people. The Government is, therefore, undertaking initiatives aimed at
reducing youth unemployment. Gains made on the previous initiatives such
as Kazi Kwa Vijana and the Economic Stimulus Programmes will be
consolidated, harnessed and the lessons learnt used to improve future
programming.
We will also do everything within our power to broaden
business opportunities available by improving the investment climate in
the country. The future of our economy will also depend on the ability to
venture into business and add value to our products.
We have expanded the infrastructure and financial services to support the
growth of business and productivity as an effective way of creating jobs
for our people.
The opportunities are there and I urge Kenyans to take
advantage of them and turn them into job-creating and wealth-generating
opportunities.
I also call upon our big companies to mentor and support upcoming
businesses by providing them with management skills and marketing
linkages. Our national attitudes are changing in favor of initiating
businesses.
I am proud of the many young Kenyans who, through their own initiative and
enterprise, have been able to nurture companies that have become
significant employers. Other young Kenyans have contributed to the
provision of our public transport through boda boda operations.
They are providing public transport to Kenyans living in parts of the county not
easily accessible by other forms of transport. Boda boda have created a
source of livelihood for thousands of our young people. The Government
will work closely with boda boda operators to ensure more safety and avoid
deaths and injuries on our roads.
Fellow Kenyans,
I am fully aware of the hardships being faced by Kenyans due to increased
food and fuel prices.
To alleviate the current situation, we are undertaking various short term
measures to cushion Kenyans. These include zero rating duty on paraffin
and drastically reducing duty on diesel.
In the long term, the Government is actively engaging in the development
of other sources of energy such as geothermal, coal, solar and wind. Plans
are also underway to put in place up to 3 months fuel storage facilities.
We will also encourage more competition in the oil industry.
This will reduce the drastic changes in fuel prices that we are currently
experiencing.
Turning to the issue of food security, the Government is building the
strategic grain reserves to 8 million bags of maize to ensure ready
availability of food in the country. We intend to hold this maize stock at
all times, to mitigate impacts of the cycle of droughts. In the parts of
the country currently experiencing drought, the Government will expand the
free food relief programmes.
In the long term, we are putting in place concrete strategies to
facilitate the moving away from rain-fed to irrigated agriculture. We are
also undertaking the construction of several major dams around the country
to increase water availability.
Fellow Kenyans,
I would like to reiterate the Government’s unrelenting commitment to the
provision of security for all. Measures have been taken to contain all
forms of crime across the country. We have intensified patrols along our
borders. I also wish to reassure all Kenyans that the Islands of Migingo
and Ugingo lie squarely on Kenyan territory in Lake Victoria. There
should, therefore, be no cause for alarm on this issue.
Let me also reiterate that as a country, we shall always opt for diplomacy
and dialogue whenever an issue arises with our neighbours. We should
always remember that Kenya is the biggest promoter of regional
integration.
Let us always aspire to live harmoniously with our neighbours. A peaceful
region holds much promise for our people who have the great potential to
do business and get jobs across our borders.
Fellow Kenyans,
We are gathered here at a time of great promise for our nation.The
enactment of our new Constitution last August, will remain an important
milestone in the history of our nation. The Grand Coalition Government has
initiated the process of fully implementing the Constitution.
Consequently, various Bills have been prepared and are in the process of
being enacted into law. Key among them are laws relating to reforms in
the Judiciary. Other main areas of focus include the electoral,
devolution, and land laws.
I call upon Parliament to give priority to all Bills giving effect to the
Constitution. I have already directed all government ministries and
departments to draft Bills well ahead of the timelines stipulated in the
Fifth Schedule of the Constitution.
The Cabinet will also discuss and approve all Bills presented by various
Ministries in the shortest time possible.
Moreover, I encourage members of
the public to participate fully in stakeholder consultations being held on
various aspects of the Constitution. That way, we will all play a part in
shaping the legislation required to put in place various aspects of our
new Constitution.
Before I conclude my remarks, I would like to remind us all, that the
attainment of Madaraka came with immense responsibility. We have
individual responsibilities to ourselves, our families and the nation. Let
us seek to create a law-abiding, peaceful and orderly society that will
result in the economic prosperity for all Kenyans.
Eight years ago on Madaraka day, I spoke to you my fellow Kenyans, on the
need to build a Working and Caring Nation. On that day, I outlined what
we needed to do to make our institutions start working again. I appealed
for hard work and commitment to our country.
I thank the Kenyan people for their support in building our working
nation. Let us always remember that peace, national reconciliation and
healing are key ingredients in building our nation.
On this day therefore, let us all re-dedicate ourselves to nation building
as envisioned by our founding fathers.
Thank you and God bless you all.
