Your Excellency

The Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya ,

Your Eminence John Cardinal Njue,

Your Excellencies,

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am honoured to join you today during this special occasion to mark the feast of St Peter and Paul and also to celebrate the election of His Holiness Pope Benedict the Sixteenth.

Let me from the onset convey on behalf of the Government and the people of Kenya and on my own behalf best wishes and good health to His Holiness Pope Benedict the Sixteenth.

The feast of Saint Peter and Paul is significant to the universal Catholic Church as it honours the martyrdom of these two central pillars of the Christian Church. The two Saints gave their souls to the Lord and were instrumental in laying a strong foundation for the Church.

For almost two thousand years now, and specifically since 258 A.D., Christians around the world have celebrated this feast that has over time come to signify the unity of the Church of Christ .

To us in Kenya , this year’s celebrations are of great significance as we journey along the road to reconciliation and national healing.

I am indeed gratified to note that the theme of this year’s feast is Reconciliation, Peace and Justice in Kenya .

The memories of the violence that rocked our country early last year still linger in our minds. My Government is committed to ensuring sustainable peace.

We have begun instituting far reaching reforms that will guarantee justice and peace for all Kenyans.

I am happy to report that following the signing of National Accord and the subsequent formation of the Grand Coalition Government last year, the government has made formidable milestones in our quest to make our Country a better home for all Kenyans.

These include;

Ø Establishment and implementation of the Kriegler report paving way for electoral reforms that began with the formation of the Independent Interim Electoral Commission of Kenya.

Ø Establishment of the Waki Commission and the efforts being made to establish a local Special tribunal to deal with those behind the election violence.

Ø Cabinet approval of the National Land Policy that will open the way for the most comprehensive land reforms in our country’s history.

Ø We have also embarked on the constitution review process with clear lessons from our past efforts to complete the exercise.

In this respect, as a government we want the Committee of Experts on Constitutional Reform which is collating views to complete its work within the next one year.

However, I am aware that these institutional and legal reforms, although pivotal in our desired changes, must be matched by our individual commitments to peace and stability of our nation.

It is true that laws govern men but it is equally true that men are guided and influenced by their hearts and souls. It is for this reason that I wish to make a passionate appeal to the Church to be at the forefront in helping Kenyans embrace and support reform.

Driving the reform agenda should not be the preserve of politicians or civil society. As a church you are well placed to be active participants in the reform process and not arm chair critics of what government does.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, I want to thank the leadership of the Catholic Church and the faithful across the country for their invaluable support in all endeavours of national development.

Kenya and the Holy See continue to enjoy cordial and warm relations. This has been manifested by the three visits to Kenya by the Late Pope John Paul II. Kenya has also been privileged to have two Cardinals, the Late Maurice Cardinal Otunga and now John Cardinal Njue.

Through your 26 Catholic Dioceses your support in the area of education and health has also been invaluable.

I am particularly grateful to the Church for its role in helping resettle the people who were displaced in the post election violence. The church also continues to be a leading actor in peace and reconciliation efforts.

Finally and as we commemorate the election of His Holiness Benedict the Sixteenth to the Supreme Pontificate, let us remain steadfast in his ideals on religious freedom, inter-religious dialogue, reconciliation, international peace and justice in this era of rapid change and globalization.

Indeed, let us all take counsel in the words of the Pope, namely, that the blood of martyrs should be seen as a force of love that overcomes hatred and violence.

We, too, can overcome our recent tribulations and build a new prosperous Kenya . This is our vision.

Thank You and God bless you.