Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my pleasure to preside over the official opening of the National Cohesion and Elders Conference. This Conference marks an important step in our efforts towards promoting national cohesion and integration.

I note that the Conference brings together various key stakeholders whose contributions will go a long way in advancing the agenda of national integration. I am particularly encouraged that the Conference provides us with an opportunity to benefit from the knowledge and experience of elders. Indeed, elders are a critical human resource who possess enormous experience, wisdom and talent that is critical for national cohesion as well as socio economic development. It is, therefore, imperative that we fully utilize the invaluable contribution of elders who enjoy goodwill from their respective communities.

I am optimistic that this conference will bring our efforts towards national cohesion and reconciliation to another level.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

One of the key challenges we are facing as a nation is to turn the multiplicity of cultures, languages, races and religious faiths in our country into an advantage for the common good of our Nation. As we appreciate, there is strength in diversity. It is unfortunate that this diversity has often been manipulated to the detriment of social harmony. There is, therefore, need for all of us to build a strong and enduring Kenyan identity that knits all these diverse cultures and peoples into a strong national fabric that nobody can tear apart.

The Government has remained committed to promoting national cohesion and integration. Through the Ministry of Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs, the Government has been facilitating implementation of the relevant initiatives as provided for in the National Accord and Reconciliation Act of 2008 and other Agenda 4 Reforms. As part of this commitment, the Government established the National Cohesion and Integration Commission. The mandate of the Commission is to facilitate and promote equality of opportunity, good relations and peaceful co-existence between our people. The Commission has already embarked on this noble task of ensuring that Kenya becomes a cohesive society. This is the foundation on which nationalism and patriotism can be cemented and sustained. It is imperative that we all support this Commission and put our efforts together in order to realize our vision of One Nation, One People, One Destiny.

Among other key initiatives undertaken by the Government to push forward the reform agenda include the formation of an Interim Independent Electoral Commission and the Interim Independent Boundaries Review Commissions. These commissions have already embarked on the mandate assigned to them by the Government. This mandate is to make recommendations that will ensure better political representation, quality service delivery and efficient utilization of resources.

Another key challenge facing Kenya today is the mainstreaming of values and ethical behavior that will promote national cohesion. In this regard, there is need to urgently develop a policy on a National Values System for Kenya. I am optimistic that such values will have a positive influence on the work ethics and productivity of Kenyans. These values will also result in substantial improvement in the quality of leadership, management practices and efficient utilization of national resources at all levels and sectors of the economy.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

This conference comes at an opportune time when the country is at the final stages of the Constitutional review process. You will agree with me that we have spent enormous resources both human and financial for over two decades in search of a new constitution. I would like to appreciate the efforts of all the stakeholders in bringing the constitutional making process up to where we are today. The realization of a new constitution will address some of the perennial challenges that we have continued to face.

It is gratifying that the proposed new Constitution lays a firm foundation for addressing our country’s nationhood challenges. It makes elaborate provisions on National Goals, Values and Principles, Culture, Citizenship and an expansive Bill of Rights. In particular, the Bill of Rights guarantees national cohesion by providing for every person’s equal enjoyment of civil and political freedoms as well as socio-economic and cultural rights.

It is my hope that Kenyans will make reliable and informed decisions on the draft Constitution during the forthcoming referendum. In this connection, I urge Kenyans to register as voters in large numbers and go ahead to exercise their democratic right by voting for the new proposed Constitution at the referendum. I further want to call upon you to encourage members of your respective families and communities to register and vote in the referendum.

In conclusion, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to emphasize that we cannot achieve our vision of One Nation, One People if we do not find a way of dealing with negative ethnic tendencies. This is why the Government has taken bold and deliberate steps to institute mechanisms, including legislation on hate speech. We must eliminate this vice.

I also urge all Kenyans, and especially political leaders, to take responsibility in fighting negative ethnic forces which almost tore our country apart in early 2008. We must all actively seek to ensure that our great country is able to embrace a strong sense of nationhood.

With these remarks, it is now my pleasure to wish you fruitful deliberations and to declare this Conference officially open.

Thank you and God bless you all.