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 ON THE OCCASION OF THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE SECOND SESSION OF THE NINTH PARLIAMENT, 30th MARCH, 2004
Mr. Speaker,
It is with all due honour, that I welcome Honourable Members to the Second Session
of the Ninth Parliament. It is my hope that the recess provided Honourable Members
with an ideal opportunity to reflect on the challenges ahead of the Ninth Parliament.
Mr. Speaker,
During the recess, we had the misfortune of losing Honourable Joab Omino, a
distinguished Kenyan and an able Member of Parliament and Assistant Minister
who served this country with honesty and dedication. In his honour and remembrance,
I request Honourable Members to rise and observe a minute's silence…………
Thank you.
Mr. Speaker,
When I addressed the House last year, I outlined the policy direction of the
NARC Government. I articulated the policy measures that the Government would
take to improve the lives of Kenyans. I am glad to note that we have made good
progress in implementing a number of these policies. In that regard, I note,
with appreciation, that in the last Session, the House passed over ten Bills,
all of which I signed into Law.
My Government's vision is the realization of high economic growth rates of six to seven percent, that Kenya once enjoyed. We did it in the past, we can do it again. Indeed, we should strive to achieve high growth rates in the shortest time possible, if we are to make a serious impact on poverty, which is a heavy burden on our people.
As a result of the reform measures we implemented last year, the prospects for growth are now much brighter. A number of sectors recorded positive growth last year. Manufacturing rose by 1.2 per cent, while agricultural growth improved by 2.0 per cent. Indeed, real GDP growth rate rose by 1.8 per cent up from 1.1 per cent in 2002.
Mr. Speaker,
During the past fifteen months, we have made important gains in improving the
lives of Kenyans. Over eight million pupils are currently enjoying the benefits
of our free primary education policy. The parents of these children can now
focus their energies on other productive activities. We have brought order on
our roads. Kenyans are now safer when traveling in Public Service Vehicles.
We have put in place the legal and institutional framework, to fight corruption
that impoverished our people. We have streamlined the financial sector. Kenyans
who have had to bear the brunt of the high cost of credit are now beginning
to see the gains of low interest rates.
We have seen a significant improvement in agriculture, and the related co-operative sectors. The Agricultural Finance Corporation has been revitalized with a funding of almost one billion shillings, which is available to farmers for credit. Maize and wheat farmers are now enjoying better prices for their produce. The Kenya Co-operative Creameries is also back in business and is now paying farmers promptly at double what they were being paid before the Government took over the organization. We look forward to substantial growth of the dairy sector.
We have also begun an ambitious program to rehabilitate factories in the sugar belt. As a first step the Government waived debts owed by sugar factories and farmers. As a result, sugar companies are now in a position to pay farmers. I have no doubt that these achievements are having a positive impact on poverty reduction in the country.
Furthermore, the Government is supporting rehabilitation of Kenya Farmers Association and Agricultural Development Corporation so that farmers have back up support from these important institutions. We are also encouraging National Cereals and Produce Board and Kenya Planters Co-operative Union to participate in the importation of fertilizers and other agricultural inputs to increase competition in this critical sector of our economy.
During my last speech, I informed the House that the Government was working on a special development programme for the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands, covering all the 22 ASAL districts. The programme is spelt out in the economic recovery strategy and I am happy to inform the House that in addition to the regular Government budget, we have received 4.5 billion shillings from the World Bank for financing of the Arid Lands Resource Management Project. Another 2.2 billion shillings from the African Development Bank and one billion shillings from the European Union will go towards financing development of water projects. I call on Members of Parliament in the beneficiary districts to facilitate utilization of these resources efficiently so as to achieve the intended objectives.
With regard to HIV/AIDS, the Government has intensified the campaign against AIDS as demonstrated in the reorganization of the strategy for the National Aids Control Council. The main activities and funding for AIDS are being carried out at the constituency level and in that regard, I call on Members of Parliament to lead the campaign in the constituencies. Voluntary Counseling and Testing Centres are now available in most hospitals. Affordable drugs are also available for those who are infected.
Mr. Speaker,
The Government is responding to security concerns expressed in this August House
and by the general public. The salaries for the Police have been increased.
The Force is now better equipped and is being retrained to deal more effectively
with crime in the country. I am glad to mention that banditry and cattle rustling
have been reduced significantly. Furthermore, urban organized crime groups of
the youth are no longer a nuisance to the public. I wish to assure Honourable
Members that law and order will be fully maintained in all towns and villages
throughout the country.
Mr. Speaker,
We held a very successful consultative meeting with Development Partners. I
am happy to inform the House that we got a strong endorsement for the policies
of this Government by receiving financial support commitments amounting to well
over 300 billion shillings over a period of three years. We are now receiving
donor funding to all our sectors requiring public expenditure. Furthermore,
we have held two investment conferences and a third one is scheduled this May.
These are good indicators of the strong interest investors have in our new Kenya.
Obviously the results of these efforts will soon be realized through increased
job opportunities and higher incomes for our people.
The recovery and eventual sustainable growth of our economy, therefore, remains the biggest challenge before us. As the supreme organ of the state, Kenyans are looking upon Parliament to provide solutions to the challenges facing this country. Indeed, the business laid out for the House this Session, will go along way in facilitating the process of economic recovery.
Mr. Speaker,
One area that requires our urgent attention, is streamlining of the management
of financial resources, if our efforts to rebuild the economy are to succeed.
I urge honourable members to deliberate on the Financial Management and Public
Procurement and Disposal of Assets Bill, which the Government will be tabling
before the house. The Bill is intended to provide a legal framework for ensuring
the efficient and accountable management of public resources.
To further improve
management of public resources, we must continue with the war against corruption.
I commend Honourable Members for passing the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes
Act; the Public Officer Ethics Act; and Public Audit Act. These laws have paved
way for a systematic campaign against corruption. The Kenya Anti-Corruption
Board has nominated possible candidates for the posts of Director and four Assistant
Directors. I urge the house to urgently vet and approve the names of the suitable
candidates so that the Anti-Corruption Commission can begin its work.
Mr. Speaker,
As Honourable members will appreciate, increased investments will create employment,
reduce poverty and accelerate economic growth. This country is competing with
the rest of the world for international investment. We therefore, need legislation
which provides an enabling environment for local investors and is attractive
to international investors. The Government will, therefore, be tabling an Investment
Bill to achieve these objectives. In addition, the Privatization Bill will be
re-published and tabled before the House to enable the Government to streamline
non-performing parastatals that have been a drain on the Treasury. The two Bills
will also encourage more investors and commercialization of this important sector
of our economy.
Mr. Speaker,
There is a lot of business expertise among our people. There are over 1.3 million
micro and small-scale enterprises employing over 2.3 million people. Unfortunately,
these enterprises are unable to expand and graduate to the formal sector because
of lack of credit. Today, the formal banking sector, directs credit mainly to
low risk borrowers, while other borrowers, who include our farmers and manufacturing
enterprises, find it difficult to access credit. It is for this reason that
the Government will be tabling the relevant Micro-Finance legislation. The legislation
will assist in improving credit accessibility by small businesses.
In addition, the Government will streamline the co-operative movement to further
improve credit accessibility. Today, there are over 10,000 registered cooperative
societies with a membership of 5.7 million in the country. The Government will
be tabling the Co-operative Societies (Amendment Bill) 2003 in Parliament. The
Bill aims at strengthening the co-operative movement for the benefit of its
members and the economy. But legislation alone is not enough. Members of Parliament
should mobilize their constituents who are members of co-operative societies,
to demand better management and stamp out corruption from these institutions,
which are key to empowering our people.
Mr. Speaker,
Our youth and women possess enormous potential for our national development.
We must act together to address the challenges these groups face by providing
them with opportunities and access to affordable credit. As leaders, you are
best placed to offer tangible solutions. Let us replace political activism with
reconstruction and development activism for the good of our country.
Mr. Speaker,
Agriculture is the mainstay of our economy, employing over 80 per cent of Kenyans.
Growth of the agricultural sector has been hampered by a variety of constraints,
some of which are legislative in nature. Currently we have over 60 statutes
governing the agricultural sector. These will be harmonized through new legislation,
which will reflect the current development needs for the sector and the liberalized
marketing environment. Our aim is to make farming commercially viable, expand
employment in the sector and promote production of high quality products for
the local and international market.
The environment, land and water management are also critical considerations in the development of agriculture. It is, therefore, necessary for the House to deliberate on all outstanding legislative matters in these areas. The Government has approved the Forests Bill 2003, which will be tabled in Parliament. This Bill is intended to set in motion, the process of conserving, developing and protecting the country's forests which are currently far below the internationally recommended forest cover of 10 per cent of total land mass. We should bring in more actors including communities in the development of forest plantations and conservation programmes.
Protection of forests will be further enhanced through expansion of rural electrification and increased usage of cooking gas in the country. The Government will soon be inviting tendering for the construction of a liquefied petroleum gas reception facility in Mombasa. The Government is also instituting measures to standardize gas cylinders and valves. These measures will bring down the prices of cooking gas and expand its use throughout the country. Furthermore, the rural electrification fund has been established and funds will be mobilized from donors to build the capacity of the Fund. Increased use of electricity will create industrial activities and power-supported services in the rural areas. This year alone the Government has mobilized 14 billion shillings from Development Partners to support the power sector.
Mr. Speaker,
Land is the most important economic resource for the majority of our people.
There are, however, too many laws regulating the administration of land. This
is cumbersome. The Government will consolidate and modernize these laws to overcome
these problems. Moreover, the Commission of Inquiry into Illegal and Irregular
Allocation of Public Land is expected to recommend legal and administrative
measures, to deal with the illegal and irregular allocation of public land.
I appeal to Honourable Members to support the Commission in its work.
Mr. Speaker,
Adequate provision of health services remains a critical challenge to the Government.
As part of our commitment to providing quality and affordable health care to
all Kenyans, a Bill proposing the conversion of the National Health Insurance
Fund into a National Health Insurance Scheme will be tabled in Parliament. Also
to be tabled is the HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Bill, to provide a legal
framework for dealing with the pandemic. I urge Honourable Members to redouble
their efforts in co-ordinating the fight against the disease at the grassroots
level. We have a responsibility as leaders to continuously inform the people
of the danger posed by AIDS, and how to protect themselves from the AIDS virus
and stay alive.
The Administration of justice is another area of concern to Kenyans. The Government is committed to ensuring timely dispensation of justice. This commitment is the basis of the reforms currently underway in our judicial system. To further improve delivery of justice to our people, the Government will develop legislation on the establishment of small claims courts. I appeal to members to positively deliberate on this legislation once it is tabled in this House. This will facilitate the establishment of small claims courts at the village level throughout the country.
Mr. Speaker,
One of the key pledges of my Government is to make Kenyans masters of their
destiny. It is for this reason that my Government has remained committed to
the enlargement of the democratic space and the making of a new Constitution.
In the true democratic spirit, Kenyans today express their views freely whether
in the media or on the streets, and on any subject of their choice. As Government,
we do recognize the importance of this expansion of the frontiers of freedom.
But as leaders, the responsibility of choosing words which build rather than
destroy falls on us. Let us avoid portraying our country as a quarreling nation
because of personalization of issues and short-sightedness. The media is also
part and parcel of our country and must also be judged by the same standards
that they daily demand of the country's leaders.
Mr. Speaker,
My Government remains totally committed to facilitating the completion of the
Constitution Review Process. The conclusion of the National Constitution Conference
marked the end of an important chapter in the review process. This Session has
a unique and historic opportunity to facilitate the successful completion of
the process. The Constitution of Kenya Review Act requires the Government and
all organs of the review, including this August House, and the people of Kenya
to recognize the importance of national consensus in the Constitution making
process. In the last few weeks, I have personally initiated a consultative process
with the leaders of political parties and Members of Parliament. Parliament
and in particular this Session, has an extremely important role to play in consensus
building.
Mr. Speaker,
It is the wish of the Government and the people of Kenya that this process be
completed in the shortest time possible. Towards this end, it will be necessary
to build consensus at two levels: First, it is important for this Session of
Parliament to chart a clear way forward and reach consensus on the remaining
phases of the Process. I want to assure Honourable members that, the Government
will introduce legislation necessary to implement the consensus reached by this
Session of Parliament. Secondly, although there was consensus on most of the
issues in the Draft Constitution adopted by the Conference, there are some key
issues on which there is still divided opinion. It will be the greatest test
of the patriotism of Members of the Ninth Parliament to achieve consensus on
these issues.
Mr. Speaker,
I will be proud to be a Member of the House that will be remembered by posterity
as having made it possible for Kenyans to have a Constitution that will be a
pillar of national unity, peace, liberty, and prosperity. Closely related to
the Constitution is the Kenya Law Reform Commission, which will shoulder the
enormous task of reviewing and updating the statutes to conform to the new Constitution.
As pertains to this Commission, Honorable Members are expected to debate the
Kenya Law Reform Commission Bill to give the Commission independence in its
mandate.
Mr. Speaker,
Last month, together with my brothers Presidents Yoweri Museveni and Benjamin
Mkapa, we signed the Protocol establishing the East African Customs Union. This
Protocol will be domesticated into our laws through a Bill. I urge Members of
Parliament to give the Customs Union the necessary support. There will be short-term
gains and losses, but in the long run the Union will bring benefits to our country
and indeed, to the entire region. Let us position our country to reap the benefits
from the enlarged market for goods and services.
Kenya has also ratified the protocol on the Pan African Parliament, which came into force on 14th December 2003. The establishment of the Pan-African Parliament is intended to ensure the full participation of the African People in the economic development and integration of the continent. I am happy to note that five of our honourable members, drawn from this August House have now become Members of the Pan African Parliament. I take this opportunity to congratulate them and to urge them to give our country the best representation possible.
Mr. Speaker,
In conclusion, it is my hope that Honourable Members will take time to study
the Bills closely in order to contribute effectively to Parliamentary debates.
As elected leaders of the people, Honourable Members will also be called upon
to provide leadership in areas other than legislation. I trust that you will
set aside party differences and work together for the good of our people.
Mr. Speaker,
With these remarks, it is my pleasure to declare the Second Session of the Ninth
Parliament officially open.
Thank You.