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 UPON THE ACCEPTANCE OF HIS NOMINATION PAPERS BY THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF KENYA ON 15TH NOVEMBER, 2007

Fellow Kenyans,

Our country is changing for the better. The changes we see all about us today were started by you when you elected me to office in December, 2002. You came out in your numbers and voted for change. We have delivered the changes you wanted. We have kept our promises. Kenya is changing. Because of the reforms that we embarked on together, the future of each and every Kenyan is brighter today than at any time since our independence.

Fellow Kenyans,

You voted for free primary education, and we now have it. You voted for an end to corrupt practices, and we have done major blows to corruption. We have reformed our public service, so that it better serves the needs of all Kenyans. You asked me to restore pride to Kenya, and together we have.

We promised to create thousands of jobs, and several thousand youths are now employed. I promised an end to arbitrary rule and the infringement of human rights; we promised to make appointments to public office on the basis of equity and fairness; we have. I promised to mainstream youth and women in our public life, and we have done so. I pledged to reform our constitution; we tried, and nearly got there. I promised to devolve more power and resources to our communities in all corners of our country; and we have done so through the introduction of devolved funds such as the CDF and LATF. Our model of devolution is now admired throughout the world.

We are a greater country today because of these changes. I am determined to build on the foundations we have laid in order to bring about even greater changes in Kenya. This will enable us to deliver several million more Kenyans out of poverty before I leave office in 2012. I also seek to make sure that every Kenyan leaves school with the skills and qualifications they need to enter into the workplace and to generate incomes that can sustain themselves and their families. I have a vision for Kenya. It is a Kenya in which everyone lives in plenty, security, health, comfort and happiness. A Kenya in which every Kenyan can improve their circumstances and care for their family. It is a Kenya which is united; a Kenya which cherishes diversity in unity, regardless of age, race, religion, gender or ethnicity. It is a confident Kenya, which is winning new victories in the struggle to eliminate diseases such as TB, malaria and HIV/AIDS; and which is winning war against poverty and unemployment.

Our togetherness will ensure that we achieve new advances in our efforts to address the concerns of the youth. Let us be in no doubt, youth empowerment is key to achieving our greatness as a nation. I seek a future in which every young person can move into the workplace, or have the chance to set up a business alone or in partnership with others. That is why I have prioritized youth employment; why I have been so focused on getting our economy into shape and improving our physical infrastructure. Without power, communications, transport and a growing economy there can be no march to greatness. That is why I am committed to investing more in physical infrastructure and to doubling the size of our economy within the next five years. It is why the policies we shall pursue during the next five years will deliver the economic gains we need to eradicate poverty from the face of Kenya once and for all.

Many people have sacrificed their lives so that we can enjoy the freedoms that we have today. A PNU Government under my leadership will ensure that we continue to be a winning nation, in which we conserve and entrench the unity of Kenya. There is no future for Kenya without unity, peace, justice, tolerance and national reconciliation. That is why the prospect of a divided Kenya is so dangerous for the country that we do not accept it. Whatever the challenges we the people of Kenya face today, I want to assure you all that the citizens of this nation will reject majimbo with finality on December 27th this year.

I seek another five years to secure the destiny of all the people of Kenya. In the next five years, I will preside over a youthful administration. My next administration will include many more young people. This is because the future of Kenya lies with the youth. Therefore, I ask that when you go the polls and nominate your candidates for parliament, you should choose able leaders who will make up my cabinet. Give me many young men and women to serve in the PNU government. Let me work with them for five years and ensure that the future of our nation is secure in their hands, and help drive Kenya to industrialization, prosperity and employment for all. Some people think that we do not care for the minorities in our society. I want to tell you today that my Government shall always be a Government where both the majority and minorities are recognized and equitably represented. For instance, for the first time in the history of Kenya, my government has a total of 4 ministries from among the Muslim community.

Sometimes it is hard to recollect that only five years ago our collective futures were very uncertain. We fought to be where we are today, and we must continue to agitate for what we believe in. No one said that achieving a state of greatness was easy. Many never believed that we would be able to eradicate our country’s blemishes, entrenched over many decades, in just five years. What we have achieved in just five years is however a cause for celebration; and it is the mark of greater things to come. We are on course to achieving prosperity for all. We are changing people’s lives for the better. It is a task that requires a daily investment of time and energy on the part of us all; but it’s happening, and it will happen at a faster rate under a PNU Government. To those of you who have not yet felt the cool breeze of empowerment, I say to you today – the wind is blowing and it’s blowing stronger each day. We have journeyed this far. We are on the road to greatness. Let us stay the course and increase our momentum and our commitment to work together, and the prosperous, just and peaceful nation we all aspire to live in will be within our reach.

The PNU Government we expect to form in January 2008 will pursue the policies needed to achieve the Kenyan dream. These policies are documented in the PNU Manifesto. They are policies designed to bring about the greatest change our country has ever witnessed. These policies will create a more prosperous, secure and equitable future for our youth, women, and indeed, for all Kenyans. Our Manifesto is a blueprint for our national development and a contract that PNU has presented for approval by you, the people of Kenya during the forthcoming elections. I ask you to consider your future and vote for a PNU Government that will build on the foundations we have laid and bring about unprecedented social, economic, technological and industrial change, so that all Kenyans can experience and celebrate a brighter future.

I therefore invite you all to carry this message to all Kenyans so that on 27th December, 2007, Kenyans will vote for the many fundamental changes a P.N.U. Government will bring in their lives by way of personal and collective modernization and prosperity, so that every person will be able to enjoy at least 3 square meals a day, live in a modern shelter, enjoy better health and security as well as be assured of skills and employment.

Yes, I urge you to vote for a Kenya where every child will wear shoes as part of their normal clothing. A P.N.U. Government will see that these things happen, and that the Kenyan dream of unity, democracy, peace, prosperity and happiness come true.

Thank you, God bless you all, na kazi iendelee.