STATEMENT 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 ON THE EVE OF THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE GRAND COALITION GOVERNMENT, 27th FEBRUARY 2009

Fellow Kenyans,

I am glad to join all Kenyans on this occasion in which we mark the first anniversary since the signing of the National Accord and Reconciliation Act that established the Grand coalition Government, that draws its membership from all major political parties to which majority of Kenyans belong.

I wish, at the very outset, to thank all leaders and Kenyans in general for the patriotism and level of political maturity that has been demonstrated across the political divide and that has enabled the coalition Government to make positive strides in the last one year.

As will be recalled, the National Dialogue and Reconciliation Committee that was spearheaded by the Panel of Eminent Persons outlined four critical steps needed to restore normalcy in our country following the post election crisis and to address fundamental issues underlying the crisis. These critical steps were:

• Immediate action to stop violence and restore fundamental rights and liberties;
• Immediate measures to address the humanitarian crisis, promote reconciliation, healing and restoration;
• Resolving the political crisis that engulfed the country following the dispute over the election results through negotiations and power sharing; and
• Long term measures to address underlying causes of crisis involving inter alia:
  
  1. Undertaking constitutional, legal and institutional reform;
  2. Tackling poverty and inequity, as well as combating regional development imbalances;
  3. Tackling unemployment, particularly among the youth;
  4. Consolidating national cohesion and unity;
  5. Undertaking a land reform;
  6. Addressing transparency, accountability and impunity

Fellow Kenyans,

I am glad to note that over the last one year, we have succeeded in addressing agenda one and two. Consequently, peace and normalcy has been restored in the country while the process of tackling the humanitarian crisis through resettling and providing displaced persons with basic needs has by and large been a success.

Over 95% of persons displaced have now been resettled. I take this opportunity to thank leaders and Kenyans in general for the spirit of cooperation and commitment to the well being of our country.

As regards resolving the political crisis arising from the disputed election results, I am glad to note that the enactment of the National Accord and Reconciliation Act 2008 as well as the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Act 2008 resulted in the creation of the coalition Government as well as the creation of the posts of Prime Minister and two deputies as outlined in the agreement on the principles of partnership of the coalition government.

The office of Prime Minister has now evolved with a good working relationship with the Office of the President.

With the creation of the grand Coalition Government, the parties to the Kenya National Dialogue and Reconciliation have continued to share the responsibilities of managing the affairs of our country. I am also encouraged to note that though parties in the coalition Government subscribe to different party manifestoes, we are all united by the common desire of building a stable and prosperous country.

Indeed, it is on the basis of this shared agenda that we have synergized and harmonized the different policies and programmes proposed in the PNU, ODM, and ODM-K manifestoes into a joint national agenda.

For example the government has in the past year successfully implemented free tuition and day secondary school education as recommended in the manifestoes.

The five year Medium Term Plan is currently under implementation. In the last one year we also launched Vision 2030, and the implementation of several flagship projects is already underway.

Fellow Kenyans,

As Kenyans appreciate, the fourth and final agenda comprised a broad reform agenda involving comprehensive constitutional and electoral reforms as well as other legislative, structural, political and economic reforms. While reform efforts are undergoing on this agenda, I wish to note that we have so far made commendable progress.

In this regard, we established the Independent Review Commission of Inquiry to analyze the constitutional and legal framework to establish the basis for the conduct of the 2007 elections and identify any weaknesses or inconsistencies in the electoral legislation. The Commission has since concluded its work and made recommendations that are presently being implemented.

Similarly, we established the Post Election Violence Commission to investigate into the post-election crisis and make recommendations on the way forward. The Commission completed its work and we are again in the process of implementing its recommendations.

I note that efforts to establish a special local tribunal - as recommended in the Post Election Violence Commission report - to try those suspected of having perpetrated the post election violence failed in Parliament recently.

In spite of this setback, I wish to assure Kenyans that the Government is consulting with the panel of Imminent African Personalities led by H.E. Kofi Annan with a view to charting the way forward. I reaffirm the commitment of my Government to ending the culture of impunity by ensuring that justice is done.

Regarding the Constitution, we have made progress towards delivering a new constitution. So far the National Assembly has passed the Constitution of Kenya Review Bill to which I assented into law. The Constitution of Kenya Amendment Act 2008 now paves the way for the review of the constitution that will ensure the country gets a new constitution.

As regards the issue of land that has been identified as a source of economic, social, and political problems in Kenya, parties in the coalition have agreed to identify factors responsible for conflicts over land and to formulate and implement short, medium and long-term recommendations. Towards this end, the Ministry of Lands is facilitating stakeholder consultations to finalize the National Land Policy before presenting it Cabinet and Parliament.

With respect to poverty, inequity and regional imbalances, there is agreement among parties to the coalition that in order to ensure sustainable peace in the country, poverty eradication and equitable development are essential. Indeed, in harmonizing political party manifestos, coalition partners pledged to ensure poverty alleviation and equitable development are top priorities for the Coalition Government.

They also pledged to utilize the National Accord implementation mechanisms and to commit to a consultative process that identifies short term, medium term and long-term strategies to fight poverty. I am glad to note that the National Development Plan (Medium Term Plan) has captured these concerns.

Similarly, we have made progress towards addressing unemployment in Kenya, particularly among the youth. The coalition Government has, therefore, committed itself to the development of a comprehensive strategy on combating youth unemployment

In furtherance of this agenda, we will soon be launching the Youth Marshal Plan, which outlines the measures the Government will take to ensure young Kenyans have the opportunity to be gainfully employed, to develop to their full potential and to live in dignity.

As an emergency measure my government will from next month launch the six month Kazi kwa vijana program that will see the hiring of youth on several labour-intensive projects across the country.

In addition to the reform agenda my government has in the last one year continued to move the development agenda in several areas including but not limited to:

• Implementation of the Political Parties Bill.
• We are in the process of importing 8.5 million bags of maize and liberalized the sale and importation of maize to ensure the country has adequate food.
• We will build up our maize reserves from 4 million to 8 million bags.
• Average connections under the rural electrification program now stand at 200,000 up from 40,000.
• Government has in the last one year awarded contracts amounting to Kshs 48 billion for the construction of 342 kms of new road works in various parts of the country.
• The 342 kms of roads does not include the construction of Kenya’s first super highway on the Thika-Nairobi road
• We have also carried out major periodic and holding maintenance on a number of roads including the Mau Summit-Kericho-Kisumu whose contract for re-construction will soon be awarded.
• Re-settlement of over 95% of the Kenyans who were displaced in the post-election violence.
• Free tuition and day secondary school program and free tuition in the junior youth polytechnics.
• We have begun an intensive program to commercialise agriculture by making quality seeds and fertilizers available at affordable prices.
• 18 bills have been passed by parliament including the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Bill and the National Cohesion and Ethnic Relations Bill.
• Enlargement of the Youth Enterprise Fund to close to Kshs 4 billion after support from the Private sector.
• Enlargement of irrigation schemes and establishment of new schemes, especially small scale

In conclusion, I wish to acknowledge that there are many challenges that remain to be addressed. Indeed, issues especially under agenda Four will take time as they relate to the performance of our economy. I, therefore, call upon Kenyans and political leaders in particular, to uphold the spirit of patriotism and commitment to the well being of our country so that we can smoothly finalize outstanding challenges.

I also urge all members of the coalition Government to continue bonding together in the spirit of good faith and mutual trust which alone will guarantee the success of the coalition Government.

Thank you and God bless you.