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On 16/04/2013, Abdalah Hamis <hamisznz@gmail.com> wrote:
> SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY HON. UHURU KENYATTA, C.G.H., PRESIDENT AND
> COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE DEFENCE FORCES OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA DURING
> THE STATE OPENING OF THE 11TH PARLIAMENT, TUESDAY, 16TH APRIL, 2013
>
> Speakers of the Senate and National Assembly,
> Honourable Members,
>
> It is a great honour to address this opening session of Parliament
> combining both Houses. I congratulate Honourable members on your election
> and nomination to both the Senate and National Assembly.
>
> My congratulations also go to the Speakers of the Senate and National
> Assembly together with their respective deputies on their elections, the
> Leaders of the Majority party and Minority Party as well as their
> respective deputies on being elected to their positions. I want to
> especially congratulate the record number of women in both Houses – an
> indication of Kenya's commitment to achieving gender parity and equity. I
> commend the last Parliament for the passage of numerous Bills and for
> meeting constitutional deadlines. I wish all Honourable Members the best as
> you steer the legislative and policy agenda of this august House over the
> next 5 years.
>
> We all participated in an electoral process in which we campaigned in
> different counties and constituencies; contesting for different seats and
> campaigning as members of different parties and coalitions. Today, we come
> together with a single purpose–that of promoting the welfare of Kenyans,
> protecting the rights of Kenyans and giving voice to the many and varied
> interests of our people. We are here, not for ourselves, but as
> representatives of the people.
>
> We, today recognize that we sit under the banner of a new constitution; a
> constitution that the people of Kenya approved as the Supreme Law of the
> land. As law-makers, our first duty is to be law-keepers – subject to the
> constitution. I urge all of us to remember that each of us is obliged by
> virtue of citizenship and the trust placed in us by the people, to respect,
> uphold and defend our Constitution; each of us is bound, by a solemn oath,
> to bear true faith and allegiance to the People and the Republic of Kenya
> and to faithfully and diligently discharge our duties. These duties are
> conferred to us by the constitution. This is the oath of office we took
> before God and our fellow citizens.
>
> Honourable Members,
>
> My Government looks forward to working with both Houses, to implement our
> agenda. I look forward to your support. Although we may not agree from time
> to time, this should be in an atmosphere of mutual respect and
> consideration. We should be able to hold different viewpoints without being
> enemies. In that spirit, I pledge that my Government will partner with both
> Houses and both sides of the divide in the work of implementing the
> national agenda and transforming this nation. The role of a vibrant
> Opposition is vital to the effective functioning of both Houses. I welcome
> and respect that role – and look forward to all the members here holding my
> Government to account.
>
> Our constitution envisages lean and effective Government. This involves not
> just reducing the number of Ministries but restructuring the entire
> Government and changing how it works. We will streamline the agencies of
> government to end the confusing and wasteful overlap of responsibilities
> and create a Government that is fit for the 21st Century.
> Honourable Members;
>
> The world is still engulfed in deep economic crisis, made worse by
> recession in the West and rising costs in the East. However, here in Africa
> our economies continue to grow as a young, educated and vibrant population
> makes its appearance on the economic stage. Kenya is doing well, but not
> well enough. While our financial and ICT sectors are strong, our
> agriculture, manufacturing and transport sectors, that should be driving
> export led growth, are underperforming. As a nation, we still face the
> challenges of slow growth, unacceptably high levels of unemployment, and
> pervasive poverty.
>
> My Government's goal is for Kenya to become a middle-income country within
> a generation. That means attaining and sustaining double-digit growth. The
> kind of growth rates that will, if we are prudent managers, lead to a
> better quality of life for Kenyans; as skilled Kenyans are able to find
> decent jobs and many are lifted out of poverty. This growth will be
> delivered if we pursue the right combination of policies with a steady hand
> and determination.
>
> As a priority we must exercise prudent management of the public finances,
> especially the overall wage bill. Today recurrent expenditure is reaching
> unsustainable levels, squeezing out resources meant for development. We
> must keep the public wage bill in check. In the current financial year for
> example the total estimated wage bill is Kshs 458 billion. This wage bill
> at slightly over 12% of our GDP, is well above the internationally accepted
> standard of 7% and accounts for almost half of the revenue collected by
> Government. This is unsustainable and poses a serious threat to the funding
> of important development projects, and has the potential to severely affect
> the country's economic prospects.
>
> All arms of Government must set the example and lead the way in bringing
> this wage bill down. Our focus both as the executive and the legislature
> must be on reducing the cost of living and making Kenya much more
> competitive thereby increasing opportunities while improving the standard
> of living. Indeed, that shall be the centrepiece of our Government.
>
> We need to spark an industrial revolution in our country. Within the next
> few years, we must add value to our produce, and manufacture here in Kenya
> the finished goods that we increasingly use in our homes and businesses.
>
> We must establish a first class logistics hub, covering transport, roads,
> railways, waterways, pipelines, ports, storage & energy.
> We must invest in and modernize our agriculture and open up at least 1
> million acres of new land through irrigation in order to end food
> insecurity.
> We must drive growth by diversifying our exports, adding value, creating
> new products and opening up new markets
> We must seal the leakages in our revenue collection system and extend the
> tax base.
> We must drive up value for money from our public procurement so that we
> get what we pay for.
> We must create a business climate that encourages innovation, investment
> and growth.
> We must reduce the cost of the ordinary household's basket of goods,
> including food, housing, energy and transport.
> We must deepen our relationships with our regional partners in order to
> expand our markets, create jobs and boost growth.
> We must invest in our greatest capital resource – our people and provide
> what our constitution demands – social protection for every Kenyan
>
> Our overarching goal is the transformation of our economy, so that our
> exports compete across the world and drive the growth necessary to create
> jobs for our youth and lift 10 million of our brothers and sisters out of
> poverty by 2017.
>
> Honourable Members,
>
> We envision a Kenya where every citizen is free to be the very best that
> they can. Where everyone can fulfill their potential regardless of where
> they come from, what circumstances they were born into or what community
> they belong to. That is why my Government will build our work on nine key
> pillars.
>
> The first is transparency. We will run an honest and transparent
> government, with public services that are open and accountable to the
> people who use them while supporting the counties to deliver on the promise
> of devolution. We will work with the Judiciary in fast tracking and
> deepening the reforms that are in progress to secure access to justice for
> all Kenyans and promote a society where every person enjoys equal
> protection of the law. We will strengthen the criminal justice system and
> promote the rule of law.
>
> I will act swiftly to end the scourge of corruption. Corruption makes our
> country less attractive as an investment destination. It limits access to
> much needed services, stifles efficiency and eats away at public values. I
> believe that power is exercised more transparently when it is closest to
> the people. For too long decision-making has been concentrated in the hands
> of a few in Nairobi. Devolution is central to my Government's vision for
> Kenya – it is not optional, it is a constitutional duty, one shared by all
> of us. Mechanisms for resolving the minor administrative challenges are
> already in place because my Government is committed to devolution in full.
>
> In protecting the gains of individual rights and freedoms and enhancing
> transparency and accountability, we will also promote a vibrant civil
> society enabling them to gain access to public resources while taking
> legislative measures to ensure transparency, accountability and openness in
> their work. We will champion the rights of all Kenyans, preserving and
> defending them not only through good governance and respect for the rule of
> law but also by extending the right to social protection. We will expand
> the state pensions system so that all our citizens enjoy dignity in old
> age.
>
> Our Government is committed to ensuring our citizens live; work and worship
> in peace. Last year, we deployed our Defence Forces to Somalia in order to
> deal with a terrorist organization that showed disregard for the sanctity
> of life; disrespect for human rights and contempt for the law. In doing so
> we demonstrated to our citizens and to the world that we will deal
> decisively with any external threat to our citizens. Yet threats to
> internal security still remain. We will deal with those internal threats
> with the same single-minded resolve; the same commitment to protecting our
> citizens. My Government will improve security at our frontiers and
> progressively improve the ratio of police to citizens across Kenya by
> bringing it closer to the UN ration of one police officer for every 450
> citizens.
>
> This Parliament must progressively put in place measures that will
> strengthen our police service. We must afford them the dignity that is due
> to any citizen who risks their life in service to the people and the nation
> – protecting our lives and our property. In view of this, we will properly
> equip each police unit in order to increase effectiveness and ensure their
> rapid response to incidents of crime. This will also include working to
> ensure that their welfare is protected.
>
> The next pillar we will build on is job creation. 40% of our population is
> currently without work. Among our youth unemployment is as high as 70%. For
> far too long this our national resource has received insufficient attention
> and the energy and time of our youth have been wasted through alcohol and
> drug abuse. We must work together to put measures in place to harness the
> time and talents of our youth in order to grow our economy. My Government
> will consolidate and harmonize the youth and women's funds and ensure these
> funds are easily accessible to citizens at the constituency level through
> basic modeled on the CDF framework.
>
> In line with our policy of streamlining government, we will combine the
> bodies that promote Kenya in all aspects of the economy to create a single
> agency with the reach, expertise and profile to represent and promote our
> country abroad, attracting trade, investment and tourism from across the
> world. Our Embassies and missions will be remodeled to market Kenya in
> their respective countries and link directly to this new trade promotion
> service.
>
> With perhaps one of the best tourism destinations in the world we must
> increase the sector's contribution to our GDP, increasing investment in its
> infrastructure, capacity and marketing. Our aim is to double the level of
> tourism in our country to 3 million visitors a year by 2017.
>
> As leaders who are committed to transforming Kenya's economy, we must
> promote investment in emerging industries. My Government will foster the
> Sport and the Entertainment sectors, establishing a National Lottery scheme
> that will support them both. We will also seek, in consultation with the
> county governments, to provide for the building of sports stadia in five
> main towns across the country.
>
> Kenyans who have received international recognition and nomination for
> international awards have shown that investing in the arts and
> entertainment sectors will not only create jobs; it will boost tourism, and
> promote our culture around the world. To that end we will legislate to
> increase local content to 60% from the current 40% in local free to air TV
> channels.
>
> We must deliver on Vision 2030, and continue to build our nation's
> infrastructure, our roads, railways, houses, ports, schools and hospitals.
> Through projects such as LAPPSET we will drive economic growth, job
> creation and deepen our links with our regional partners. In particular,
> our nation is in desperate need of new housing. To meet the shortage we
> need to construct 250,000 houses annually but at present we build only
> 50,000.
>
> When it comes to transport we need new mass transport and commuter networks
> in our cities and long distance connections to our regional neighbours, as
> well as improvements to local roads so that our people can move freely
> across our nation. However, in order to achieve this we need to take
> measures to increase the pool of domestic capital available for
> infrastructure development and attract even greater levels of foreign
> direct investment as well.
>
> A Government's main focus should be on the efficient provision of services
> to the people, not merely the ownership and management of assets. To this
> end my focus is to achieve efficiency and effectiveness in the services
> delivered by my Government.
>
> This Government will ensure food security by investing in and modernizing
> our agricultural sector. Through improved financing, irrigation, research &
> development, and the return of extension services we will enable farmers to
> move from subsistence to commercial farming.
>
> We will support the National Land Commission, and fund the adjudication and
> titling of land, assisting them in their endeavor to promote land ownership
> as a factor of production and thereby enhance food security.
>
> This Government is committed to ensuring the highest attainable standard of
> health. Our policy aims to ensure that all Kenyans have access to
> well-equipped health facilities and well trained and motivated health care
> workers, in addition to developing systems to support and expand health
> care and improved sanitation. Working with County Governments we will
> progressively roll out our commitment to provide free primary healthcare to
> every Kenyan by 2020, starting with children, persons with disability,
> pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.
>
> Honourable Members, my Government will also focus on education. We all
> understand that education and employment are inter-linked. We are in a
> global economy that is knowledge-based and technology driven. My Government
> intends to propose a sessional paper that will provide for an increase in
> the number of Institutes of Technology in every county and end the current
> practice of transforming middle-level colleges to universities.
>
> My Government has committed itself to delivering on the promise of free
> laptops for our standard one children starting next year. Some have said
> that this is too ambitious. I say that we cannot afford to leave any of our
> children without tools to compete in the digital age. Yes, our ambition is
> great but the scale of that ambition is the only one sufficient to meet the
> scale of our nation's challenge. As such, I call upon both Houses to work
> with me to ensure that in future, the laptops we provide are assembled
> locally.
>
> Our eighth pillar is extending basic services such as water and electricity
> to every Kenyan. We will increase, year on year the number of people who
> have access to clean water and sustainable supply of electricity until we
> achieve the goal of providing access to water and electricity to all
> Kenyans. Improving the supply and quality of water is central to a range of
> our policy goals, it will help to open up more land to farming, it will
> improve the health of our citizens, it will help provide security,
> especially in Northern Kenya by ending a perennial source of conflict and
> will protect and enhance our biodiversity.
>
> Kenya has been the victim of perennial droughts and floods, every other
> year we have a drought or floods. This cycle has an adverse effect on not
> only our food production but on our infrastructure and our economy as a
> whole. We have commissioned the relevant ministries to work out a framework
> for building dams and pans for water retention on a massive scale. Various
> agencies of government will employ thousands of youth to start this
> construction immediately. We have the equipment, the knowledge, the
> personnel and the will to carry out this endeavour.
>
> Argentina, a middle-income nation with the same population as Kenya has
> 24GW of electricity capacity, while Kenya has just 1.5GW. Energy drives the
> economy and we will therefore promote investment in new forms of energy
> generation such as solar, wind and geothermal plants as well as oil, gas
> and coal. The energy market must be liberalised and opened up to new
> sources of investment, so that we can expand generating capacity, extend
> our transmission network, improve the consistency and quality of supply and
> lower the cost of energy for the Kenyan citizen.
>
> This Government will focus on changing Kenya's place in the world. The
> nature of our relationships is already changing. We are deepening links
> with our regional neighbours. We are partnering with our African brothers
> and sisters to bring peace and stability across our continent. We are
> seizing the opportunity of our times to drive the world and place Kenya and
> Africa at the heart of the global economy. My Government will continue this
> process by ensuring that we move beyond traditional diplomacy towards a new
> engagement that is based on our economic interests.
>
> Honourable Members,
>
> The clock has officially begun counting down on this Parliament. In less
> than five years from now we will be evaluated based on how we dealt with
> the issues facing this country. Today, I am outlining a broad legislative
> agenda for this session of Parliament. This agenda contains the Bills and
> Sessional Papers that I wish you to consider. They constitute a promissory
> note on the pledges we have made and the reforms that the Kenyan people
> have voted for.
>
> First and foremost, my Government is committed to the speedy completion of
> the unfinished business of implementing our Constitution. The 5th Schedule
> of the Constitution dictates that the remaining legislation should be
> enacted no later than August 27th this year. I will therefore send to
> Parliament Bills to:
>
> Entrench civil liberties and protect the freedom of the media
> Support the County Governments
> Enable the public to fully participate in decision making at the County
> and National levels
> Reform campaign finance
> And to ensure diversity and gender balance in the County Assemblies.
>
> I will also propose the Division of Revenue Bill and the County Allocation
> of Revenue Bill, which as per the Constitution must be approved by April
> 30th. I urge Parliament to act swiftly in their consideration of these
> measures so that we can meet our constitutional obligations.
>
> Finally, as part of our commitment to the implementation of the
> Constitution we shall continue to review current legislation to ensure
> compliance with Constitutional provisions. We shall move to engage in
> urgent consultations with the relevant constitutionally mandated bodies,
> relevant line Ministries and State Departments, to prepare proposals to
> align them to the letter and spirit of the Constitution.
>
> These shall include legislation and amendments touching on:
>
> The National Police Service
> National Government Coordination
> County Governments and Devolution
> Medical supplies management
> Education Management.
>
> There is much to do beyond the implementation of the Constitution. I am
> proud to have submitted to the electorate the most detailed, specific and
> comprehensive manifesto in Kenya's history. That manifesto was endorsed by
> the people of Kenya – and I intend to fulfill those promises. My Government
> will, therefore, move to propose our legislative agenda in line with the
> commitments in the Jubilee manifesto. I will bring forward measures to
> protect the family and improve the quality of life for the Kenyan people.
>
> Furthermore, we will seek to entrench the rights and freedoms that are the
> hallmarks of a truly democratic society by proposing the Access to
> Information Bill and the Data Protection Bill.
>
> This government is for all Kenyans whether they live here at home or
> abroad. We recognise the Diaspora's contribution to the economic life of
> our country but more than this they are members of the Kenyan family. We
> will therefore institute measures to facilitate their fuller participation
> in public life.
>
> I will act decisively to boost development and harness our potential for
> growth specifically my Government will present measures to:
>
> Promote and enhance the Tourism sector
> Review and amend the Public Procurement and Disposal Act to establish a
> legal obligation on Government to buy Kenyan first and create procurement
> quotas for youth and women
> Bring together the separate funds for youth & women and create a powerful
> new fund that is administered at the constituency level
> Promote and regulate the minerals and mining industry
> Promote, expand and modernise the agricultural sector and enhance food
> security
> Review the laws covering companies and other associations to improve the
> business environment, reduce red-tape and provide a predictable regulatory
> framework for business
> Facilitate the participation of the Diaspora in Kenya's public life.
>
> We are stewards of our environment, holding in trust this earth for future
> generations of Kenyans. We have a sacred duty to protect it, our wildlife
> and our landscape. That is why I will propose legislation to strengthen the
> protection of the environment. These will include Bills to:
>
> Overhaul our nation's Environment management and conservation
> Improve and expand Water Management and Water Harvesting
> Promote the expansion and management of our energy and petroleum sectors
> Reform the regulation of mining, minerals and resource exploitation to
> increase the participation of Kenyans in the sector
> Respond to the urgent threat posed by climate change
> Protect our nation's wildlife and flora.
>
> While in the last 10 years our country has seen major developments in our
> national infrastructure, few Kenyans have seen the benefits in their day to
> day lives. It is time that all Kenyans shared in the fruits of our
> prosperity. I will therefore bring forward for your consideration Bills to:
>
> Improve the quality and access to education
> Expand and promote maternal, child and primary health care services
> Promote and expand sports, arts and entertainment sectors and establish a
> national lottery.
>
> Honourable Members,
>
> My government is determined to provide solutions to land issues so that
> land once again can be seen for what it is: a factor of production among
> many. We will propose Bills to address:
>
> Eviction and resettlement of Internally displaced persons and squatters
> Management and Adjudication of Community land
> Leasing and Public asset management.
>
> Other areas in which I will be proposing Bills for your consideration
> include:
>
> The future of State Corporations
> Improving Coroner Services
> Regulating the Private Security industry.
>
> Honourable Members;
>
> Our work begins with immediate effect, within the next 100 days, we will:
>
> Release the money already allocated to stock health centres and
> dispensaries with drugs and equipment
> Abolish fees that are currently charged for using public dispensaries and
> health centres
> Abolish all charges for women giving birth at public hospitals
> Present legislation for this Parliament to pass to ensure that no child
> is out of school or a training institution until they reach the age of 18
> Establish a framework to ensure that every child entering Class 1 next
> year does so with a laptop
> Establishing a framework for youth and women to access interest free
> loans at the grassroots.
>
> Honourable Members,
>
> If we implement the measures I have outlined of today, I am confident that
> we shall support our children and our families; honor the hopes of our fore
> bearers and secure the future of Kenya. I, therefore, urge all
> Parliamentarians to prepare themselves for the work that is ahead.
>
> I welcome and urge all citizens to take their place in the legislative
> process – as agents of accountability. As per our constitution, all
> sovereign power belongs to the people of Kenya and I therefore say, fellow
> Kenyans – this is your Government. These are your elected representatives.
> We are here to defend your rights. If we act together, remaining steadfast
> in our deliberations, I am confident that our prospects will be limitless.
>
> May you remain firm in hope; true to your oaths, unfettered by
> self-interest; undaunted by challenge; undistracted by success and
> unyielding in service. May you be instruments to bring peace where there
> has been strife; security where there has been fear; unity where there has
> been division and prosperity where they lack, until the dream for one
> indivisible, democratic and sovereign nation is realized – in accordance
> with our constitution and national aspirations.
>
> God bless the citizens of this Republic and God bless and guide this 11th
> Parliament as you pursue the noble goals outlined above.
>
> Thank you.
>
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