Kibaki says constitution will spur economic growth

By PPS

The newly enacted constitution captures the aspirations of Kenyans and lays a firm foundation for economic growth, President Kibaki has said.

In his address during the High Level Plenary Meeting on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), on Monday, at the UN Headquarters in New York City, Kibaki noted that the new Constitution and Kenya’s economic blue print, Vision 2030, will spur economic growth.

The President further noted that the new governance structures will commit 15 per cent of the national budget to the counties thus guaranteeing improved health and education services to citizens.

Kibaki affirmed that channeling a chunk of national resources to the grassroots would not only create employment opportunities but also reduce poverty levels.

Said the head of state: "Moreover, the New Constitution has introduced a two-tier Government structure at national and devolved county levels, and commits 15 percent of the national budget to the counties up from the 2.5 per cent previously available through the Constituency Development Fund".

During the occasion, the president noted that the attainment of MDGs is an important vehicle towards addressing the problems that continue to afflict humanity.

He said that with five years remaining to the target date of 2015, the high plenary session availed a platform for governments and other stakeholders to chart out a plan of action that creates the necessary impetus for the attainment of all the MDGs.

He also thanked the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon for convening the forum so to renew the commitment and sustain momentum for the realisation of the MDGs within the set deadline.

The President reminded the international community that it dedicated itself to fight poverty, accelerate human development and to facilitate an effective integration of developing countries into the global economy.

Cabinet minister Moses Wetangula, Wycliffe Oparanya, Beth Mugo, Prof Sam Ongeri, Prof Helen Sambili are among the senior government officials accompanying Kibaki.