SPEECH 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 DURING THE CADET COMMISSIONING PARADE AT ARMED FORCES TRAINING COLLEGE, LANET, 20TH JULY, 2007

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am pleased to preside over the Commissioning of 139 Officer Cadets, who will today join other serving officers in our Armed Forces.

This is a memorable day for every cadet officer as well as their families and friends. The rigorous training you have undergone over the last twenty-two months, has prepared you well to assume your duties and responsibilities as Commissioned Officers. I take this opportunity to extend my congratulations to each one of you for completing your training successfully and for being commissioned as officers.

As you begin your careers in the Armed Forces, I encourage you to bear in mind the noble ideals of the Armed Forces. Indeed, you are joining an institution that maintains a great tradition of service to the country before self, of courage and discipline in the line of duty, and a proud record in peacekeeping and humanitarian activities.

The challenge before you is to uphold these ideals and great tradition by dedicating yourselves to serve this country loyally and to the best of your abilities. The training you have received has equipped you with the professional skills to discharge your duties effectively.

The oath of allegiance you have recited today, gives public testimony of your commitment to maintain strict discipline and loyalty to the Government. I would like to emphasize that personal and professional discipline are important qualities which distinguish our Armed Forces as they carry out numerous assignments both locally and abroad. As you join the Armed Forces, you should endeavour to make a positive contribution to this hard-earned distinction. Within our country, the Armed Forces have won a commendable recognition as humanitarian providers and development partners to our local communities in various areas.
Through different interventions such as Operation Dumisha Amani, Operation Good Hope, and Operation Linda Mpaka, the Armed Forces have demonstrated ability to work with communities in addressing various challenges.

In Operation Dumisha Amani, for example, our Armed Forces have been actively involved in the voluntary disarmament programmes in the Districts of West Pokot, Baringo, Samburu, Trans-Nzoia, Turkana, Marakwet and Laikipia. The operation has produced enormous benefits to the communities by reducing the prevalence of small arms and ammunition held illegally, and thereby containing the problem of cattle rustling and banditry. For instance, by June this year, Operation Dumisha Amani had led to the recovery of a total of over 2,400 arms, over 5,000 rounds of ammunition, and 859 assorted types of anti-personnel mines.

As a result of these successes, there has been a dramatic reduction in the incidents of banditry and livestock rustling in the districts covered by the operation. Wananchi in these areas are now enjoying peace and confidence to engage in development activities. Indeed, 71 out of the 72 schools that were closed due to insecurity have now re-opened and children are back in school once more.

Besides enhancing peace and security in communities affected by prevalence of illegal arms, the Armed Forces also undertake a wide range of activities that make a direct contribution to the improvement of the well-being of our people. These include, medical and veterinary camps, building of dams and sinking of boreholes, construction of schools and roads, and distribution of relief supplies. In this regard, by the end of June this year, the Armed Forces had treated over 26,900 persons in medical camps, and 3,200 livestock in the North Rift area. In addition, they have constructed 7 dams, 6 boreholes, and 4 schools in this area.

At the Coast, the Armed Forces distributed 51 tonnes of food relief to communities in Kwale, Kilifi, and Tana River districts. Elsewhere, in the arid and semi-arid parts of the country, the Armed Forces are playing a significant role in road construction and rehabilitation of water facilities. I commend our military for maintaining this tradition and spirit of civic and humanitarian service to our people.

I am pleased to note that the Armed Forces have professional expertise in key areas of social development that other Ministries and Departments can draw upon. I therefore call upon Government ministries and departments to strengthen partnerships with the Armed Forces in the delivery of services to the people.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Kenya Armed Forces have continued to play and active and prominent role in international peace-keeping operations. Our soldiers are currently participating in 10 peacekeeping missions supported by the United Nations and African Union. Indeed, in the last one year, a total of 2,550 officers, servicemen and women were deployed as peacekeepers and observers in various countries. Our country will continue to play a role in peace-keeping activities in Africa and beyond. This is because of our commitment to promote durable peace and stability in our region and internationally.

The other area where our Armed Forces have played a commendable role internationally is in the global war against terrorism. As victims of past terrorist attacks, we must continue to maintain strict vigilance. In this regard, I wish to commend the Armed Forces for participating in joint operations and exercises which have enhanced security along our borders.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

My Government continues to ensure that the Armed Forces have the necessary resources, facilities and equipment to meet the numerous security challenges. In this respect, we will continue to provide opportunities for officers in the Armed Forces to advance their knowledge through training. I therefore commend the existing partnership between the military colleges and our public universities. This partnership is providing military officers with opportunities for further training. I urge you all to take full advantage of these opportunities in order to ensure your professional advancement and career progression.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I have pointed out the need for officers in the military to observe high standards of personal discipline. Let me emphasize that the standards that you use in discharging your official duties should also be applied in your private lives. This norm is particularly important as we continue to tackle the spread of HIV/AIDS. The disease remains a serious threat to individuals, families, and communities.

I urge officers, servicemen and women in our Armed Forces to uphold high standards of personal discipline in their private lives, in order to protect themselves from the AIDS virus. I do note that the prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in the Armed Forces has dropped from 11 percent to 6.1 percent. This is commendable. However, our national target is to attain zero prevalence and therefore eradicate the problem from our society. As you join the Armed Forces, you are also expected to play your part in the fight against the spread of the AIDS virus. In this respect, personal discipline remains your most effective weapon.

In conclusion, I congratulate the Chief of the General Staff, the Service Commanders, the Commandant of this college, and indeed all the members of the Armed Forces, for the remarkable service that our Armed Forces have continued to render to our country.

With these remarks, I once again congratulate the newly commissioned officers and wish them all successful careers in the Armed Forces.

Thank you and God bless you all.