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 OCCASION OF STATE LUNCHEON IN HONOUR OF THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA, H.E. MS. QUENTIN BRYCE, SERENA HOTEL, NAIROBI, 30TH MARCH, 2009

Your Excellency, the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, Ms. Quentin Bryce

Your Excellency, Mr. Michael Bryce,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am delighted to once again welcome your Excellency the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia and your delegation to Kenya. I sincerely hope that your Excellency’s stay in Kenya has so far been pleasant and fruitful.

I note that since your arrival in the country, you have already toured some of the projects and programmes funded by your Government in the environs of Nairobi and in Machakos District. I am sure that the two days have enabled you to see for yourself the positive impact of Australia’s involvement in the sectors you visited and the potential existing for enhancing the Kenya-Australia development partnership.

Your Excellency,

Your visit to Kenya underscores the cordial and warm relations that exist between Australia and Kenya. Kenya is one of the few African countries that host an Australian diplomatic mission. This makes Kenya an important partner of your country and indeed a critical link between Australia and Africa.

In our earlier meeting this morning, we reviewed the bilateral relations between Kenya and Australia and explored ways of forging even closer cooperation for the mutual benefit of our two countries. We also had the opportunity of exchanging views on regional and global issues of mutual concern. I am confident that consultations will go a long way in deepening our bilateral cooperation.

Your Excellency,

I am happy to note that trade between our two countries has witnessed an upward trend in the recent past with the balance being in Australia’s favour. The potential for expanding our trade relations however still exists especially through the diversification of products traded in. We encourage Australians to invest in Kenya especially in the manufacturing sector for the local and regional markets.

Indeed, within the framework of the VISION TWENTY THIRTY, which is Kenya’s blueprint for development that aims to transform Kenya into a newly industrializing, middle-income country by the year TWENTY THIRTY, we accord high priority to attracting investments into the country. I, therefore, take this opportunity to assure Australian investors that Kenya is open and safe for investments. Australian investors are welcome to take advantage of Kenya’s strategic location as a gateway to the East African Community market and the wider Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa with a market size of close to half a billion people.

Your Excellency,

Our two countries have and continue to make significant contributions to global peace and security under the auspices of the United Nations. We duly acknowledge Australia’s long association with peacekeeping activities in Africa. Currently, Australia has her personnel in the UN Mission in Sudan as well as in the UN-AU Mission in Darfur. The search for a lasting solution to the conflicts in the horn of Africa and the great lakes region ranks high on Kenya’s agenda. We hope that our two countries will be able to cooperate further in conflict resolution through the regional peace and security mechanisms.

Your Excellency,

My Government appreciates the substantial humanitarian assistance Australia has extended to Kenya over the years. More recently your Government made a generous contribution of 3.4 million dollars to help alleviate the suffering of Kenyans who are facing adverse famine conditions being experienced in the country. Kenya has also been a beneficiary of Australia’s support through initiatives such as those aimed at developing capacity for electoral related processes. Other sectors that Australia has supported through development assistance programmes include maternal and child health, food security, water and sanitation as well as education. Australian educational institutions continue to attract over 500 Kenyan students each year. A number of our students have received post-graduate education scholarships from your country while many others privately sponsor themselves. This reaffirms Kenya’s recognition and appreciation of the high quality education in Australia.

Within the framework of our co-operation, I trust we shall continue to promote vibrant and dynamic relations in the areas of capacity building, information technology, infrastructural development and technical co-operation. We should encourage our people to interact more, the geographical distance notwithstanding. Australians are invited to visit Kenya to sample some of nature’s best gifts to mankind including diverse wildlife, beautiful beaches and wonderful climate.

Your Excellency,

Kenya and Australia hold convergent views and have been supportive of each at the international fora. As agricultural countries, we have common interests at the World Trade Organization negotiations. Kenya looks forward to Australia’s sustained solidarity as our two countries advocate for a fairer international trading system.

Your Excellency’s visit comes at a time when Australia has just unveiled a new Africa strategy which aims at enhancing her engagements with Africa. We note that among your priority objectives are supporting Africa’s efforts to promote economic growth and prosperity through investment and trade; accelerating progress towards the millennium development goals and addressing peace and security challenges that continue to confront us. My Government fully supports this commendable strategy and looks forward to working closely with you in realizing these noble objectives.

Excellencies,

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, may I now request you all to rise for a toast to the good health of her Excellency Ms. Quentin Bryce and to the warm and cordial relations between Australia and Kenya and to the prosperity of the people of our two countries.

Thank you and God bless you all.