Tag Archives: President Uhuru Kenyatta

President Kenyatta Urges Asia To Use Kenya As Gateway To Africa’s Vast Market

President Uhuru Kenyatta today called on Asian economies to use Kenya as a gateway to Africa’s market of over 1.2 billion people that is worth more than US$ 29 trillion.
President Kenyatta said Kenya is the best entry point for Asian businesses that want to trade in Africa with the coming into force of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA).

“I invite you to use Kenya as a gateway to the African continent. It is not only one of the top-ten fastest growing economies in Africa but is also one of the most pro-business Nations on the continent,” said President Kenyatta today.
The President made the statement when he delivered the keynote address at the Singapore Summit 2019 on Saturday morning.

The Singapore Summit, started in 2012, is one of the foremost events that brings together business and thought leaders from Asia and around the world to discuss global trends in business, finance and geopolitics.
Addressing the business leaders gathered at the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore, President Kenyatta said Kenya is a leader in pro-business reforms.
He said the country has scored huge improvements in the World Bank’s Ease-of-Doing-Business index, jumping 107 places since 2012 to its present position of number 61 globally and 3rd in Africa.

The President said Kenya is also the leading country in Sub-Saharan Africa in terms of ICT and technology-penetration, FinTech and Financial Inclusion.
Kenya’s mobile phone subscriptions currently stands at 95 percent of its population of more than 45 Million.

The country has also leveraged on its strength in ICT and mobile cellular subscription to become the global leader in mobile money and mobile banking.
“Kenya’s world-famous M-Pesa mobile money platform has promoted financial inclusion in our country and provided a template for reaching conventionally-unbanked populations across the region,” said the President.

He urged Asian investors to seek partnerships to access the vibrant Kenyan market and the wider continental market.
The President suggested several crucial steps to build strong foundation for the partnership between Singapore and Kenya as well as between the Asian and African continents.
He said Kenya and Singapore should strengthen cooperation in building and expansion of transport, communication, energy, housing, and ICT infrastructure in Kenya;
The second suggestion by the President was facilitation of mergers or collaborative arrangements between Asian companies and Kenyan companies; and promotion of linkages between Micro, Small, and Medium-Size Enterprises (MSMEs), on both sides of the Indian Ocean.

President Kenyatta said there should be collaboration between Asia and Africa in cultural exchanges, capacity building and information sharing as the foundations for forging a new path of productivity and commerce.
After delivering his keynote address, President Kenyatta joined the chairman of the summit Mr Ho Kwan Ping for a panel discussion on Kenya’s role in promoting closer partnership between Africa and Asia.

The President said Kenya’s skilled human capital, thriving service industry, its leading ICT sector and its strategic location make the country the right gateway into the African continent.
He said Kenya and Singapore are exploring the modalities for direct flights between the two countries. He said like Singapore, Kenya is a hub for the whole of Africa and is connected to all parts of the continent and Europe as well as America.

President Kenyatta’s visit to Singapore builds on the successful Afro-Asia Fintech Festival 2019, which was co-hosted by Kenya and Singapore in Nairobi in July 2019.
The President was accompanied by Central Bank Governor Dr Patrick Njoroge, Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga and Amb Johnson Weru, the Director Economic Affairs and Commercial Diplomacy Directorate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

NYS gets new Director General- Transform NYS, President Kenyatta Challenges New Director General

President Uhuru Kenyatta has challenged the new National Youth Service (NYS) Director General Matilda Pamela Aleyo Sakwa to transform the agency into an training institution that effectively delivers on its mandate.
The President told Ms Sakwa to ensure that NYS reclaims its position in national development by equipping the youth with adequate skills and expertise to enable them contribute to nation building.

The Head of State spoke today at State House, Nairobi when he witnessed the swearing in of Ms Sakwa as the the new NYS Director General.

The President congratulated Ms Sakwa and expressed confidence that she has what it takes to successfully lead NYS and enable it to offer appropriate training, mentoring, encouraging and giving hope to young Kenyans.

“You are a person with experience in management of public resources and also in public service and administration. I have confidence that you will deliver not only to the Government but also to the people of Kenya.
“You have the capacity to take this organization to the next level,” the President told Ms Sakwa.
As part of her swearing in, the new Director General took oath of office, and signed the General Integrity Code and the Accountability Pledge committing herself to discharge her duties according to the law without fear or favour.

The President observed that NYS has in the past failed to deliver on its mandate due to challenges of integrity and weak leadership, and tasked Ms Sakwa to rebuild the trust, confidence and faith of Kenyans in the institution.
“I have never failed to believe in this organization as an instrument of transformation of our Republic and of our young people,” the President said as he assured the new Director General of his support.

He said the ongoing reforms at NYS including the set up of the management council led by Lt. Gen (Rtd) Njuki Mwaniki are aimed at strengthening the institution to make it more accountable and transparent.

Present at the ceremony were Public Service CS Prof Margaret Kobia, State House Chief of Staff Nzioka Waita and NYS Council Chairman Lt. Gen (Rtd) Njuki Mwaniki among others.

What President Kenyatta said during the 2019 Jamhuri Day Celebrations

If you missed President Uhuru Kenyatta’s speech during the 2019 Jamhuri Day celebrations, here is what the President said in his address;

‘Distinguished Guests,

My Fellow Kenyans,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Happy Jamhuri Day!

We gather here today to celebrate Fifty-Six Years, since that glorious day when the flag of our Republic was hoisted for the very first time.

Today, we are honoured to have with us the Prime Minister of Barbados, the Rt. Hon. Mia Mottley, please join me in welcoming her to Nairobi.  Rt Hon. Prime Minister, your acceptance to join us to celebrate our Jamhuri is a clear indication of your commitment to the promotion of Pan-Africanism and the Bridges that unite the Caribbean and the continent of Africa in friendship, solidarity and fraternity.

Fellow Kenyans,

On the 12th Day of December, 1963; the People of Kenya witnessed the birth of an Independent State; a culmination of decades of the Struggle for Independence. That, indeed, was an astounding feat, achieved through a shared quest to liberate our homeland; we fought hard for it; we wrestled it out of the unwilling hands of a mighty world power; we stood against what seemed insurmountable odds but nevertheless prevailed.

And so today, as we celebrate our sovereignty, we honour those who gave their lives so that we could be free; those who fought in the forests, valleys, mountain-tops and plains; those who stood their ground in the LEGCO and refused to be compromised with the promises of a half-baked and empty Independence; those who guarded the young Kenya against adversaries; and those in modern times, who stand at borders, in our streets, in public offices, at home and abroad; defending and advancing our sovereignty and national interests.

As a Nation, we shall remain grateful to our independence-era heroes for delivering a free Kenya and restoring our ability to govern ourselves and determine our own destiny.  Today, we are called upon to honour their commitment and sacrifice by being true to the ideals that they lived and died for, most especially the ideal of “One Kenya, United, Strong and Prosperous; with Freedom and Justice for All”.

Fellow Kenyans,

At independence, Kenya was a Nation of hope and potential.  Today, we are the gatekeepers of our liberty, our Nation is a Beacon of Freedom, a Lighthouse that continues to shine the way for other African nations. The ideals of Freedom, Democracy and Prosperity that we have built over these Fifty-Six Years, are helping in shaping our region and beyond.

My Fellow Kenyans,

At the dawn of the Republic, we stood at about 8.9 million Kenyans; today we are a Nation of 47 million strong. We, the People, remain Kenya’s greatest strength and resource.

Our Unity amid Diversity, our National and Social Values, our status as a Regional Hub, Cultural Melting Pot, our Heritage and Splendor, our unmatched reputation for being a Country that provides shelter and safe-harbour for those fleeing turmoil in their Home Countries; these ideals of our Founding Fathers, are alive and well in today’s Kenya.

The Kenya of today is the River that flows from the Source of Greatness.  This Greatness is embodied in the spirit of those who went before us.  That Kenya would become a country devoid of poverty, ignorance and disease.

Inspired by the ideals of the independence generation and empowered by the resolve to always be better, just and progressive, we are making every endeavour to return the River to its course.

We are returning the River to its course by turning every hurdle into a stepping stone, every challenge into an opportunity and every obstacle into a bridge for a better future for all.

In the Fifty-Six years since we attained Independence, Kenya continues to grow by leaps and bounds, growing from strength to strength, buoyed by a devolved structure of governance that has accelerated development across the Republic.

From Shimoni to Moyale, Embu to Bungoma, Siaya to Kiambu, Eldoret to Voi, Mandera to Kisii, Wajir to Narok; we have found shared destiny in our diversity.

Brick-by-brick, generation-by-generation and administration-by-administration, we are building on years of steady progress, to achieve national renewal and rebuild the bonds of brotherhood among our peoples, by weaving a new and stronger fabric of patriotism and nationhood.  With this national endeavour, the wealth, security, democracy and vitality of our Republic, will set us head-and-shoulders above our peers.

We are returning the river to its course by fostering national unity and inclusiveness, through building bridges of unity towards a better Kenya for all.   Make no mistake, in 2019, Kenya has chosen to consign to the dustbin of history partisan divides and politics that is centred on individual interest at the expense of common good.

In 2019, we have anchored our dreams and aspirations on a unity that resonates with that, which existed in the independence-era generation.  Kenyans today must now unite to drive the remnants of poverty, disease, illiteracy, inequality, division and conflict from our Nation.  This monumental task towards sustainable development, can only be achieved if we remain united, focused and driven by the desire to always put our country-first. Kenya Kwanza.

My Fellow Kenyans,

At independence, Kenyans inherited a country stripped bare by a colonizing-power whose only intention was to extract.  We inherited a country beset by poverty, illiteracy, poor health and chronic under-investment in infrastructure and social amenities.  We were divided along ethnic and religious differences.

We were a colonial relic, whose identifying marks were inequality, injustice, poverty, exploitation and oppression.  Fifty-Six years later, we can look back with pride at the important milestones we have achieved and the tremendous steps we have taken and are taking to right the course of the River.

By way of returning the River to its course, my Administration is vigorously implementing the Kenya Economic Blue Print – Vision 2030, whose current phase – the Third Medium Term Plan, is prioritized as the Big-Four Agenda.  This Agenda focuses on: “a decent roof over many more heads at affordable cost; affordable healthcare for all; food and nutrition security for all Kenyans, job creation and economic growth through manufacturing.

The Big Four Agenda is crafted to accelerate the realization of the overriding objective of the Vision 2030, which is: to transform Kenya into a newly industrializing, middle-income country providing a higher quality of life to all its citizens by 2030 – in a clean and secure environment.”

Fellow Kenyans,

Our most valuable asset is our human resource. But for this resource to contribute effectively to our development agenda, its health is paramount.  It goes without saying, a sickly society cannot expect to realize its development potential to the full.  This is what informed my Administration in identifying “Universal Healthcare” as one of the pillars of the “Big Four” Agenda.

I am pleased to report that we have successfully rolled out the pilot phase of this programme in the counties of Nyeri, Kisumu, Isiolo and Machakos.  To-date, the programme has witnessed enhanced access to essential health services, with an average of 39% reported in the pilot counties.

Lessons from the pilot affirm that robust primary healthcare system is the right vehicle to secure sustainable Universal Health Coverage.

In this regard, we have invested quality time to prepare for the full rollout of this programme by the beginning of 2020, to cover the remaining 43 counties.  To this end, I urge county governments and the Ministry of Health to conclude and sign the Intergovernmental Partnership Agreement by the end of January 2020.

Fellow Kenyans,

We have begun the journey to fulfill our pledge to you on the Affordable Housing Programme. Just last week, I commissioned the first phase of the project by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) that will deliver 100,000 units across the country.

The Affordable Housing Programme will continue to deepen and accelerate access to housing far beyond our immediate target date of 2022, of building 500,000 housing units, and set Kenya on an extraordinary path as Africa’s first country, to substantively address housing and social amenities challenges.

Fellow Kenyans,

The Housing Fund is one of the entities through which the delivery of the “Affordable Housing Programme”, shall be supported.

The creation of the Housing Fund was informed by the need to bridge the gap between the have and the have nots, by creating a framework through which, the traditionally unbanked can access financing towards home-ownership.

Fellow Kenyans,

You all know, the implementation of the Housing Fund Levy as a mandatory contribution, for both employees and employers, has at every turn, been fraught with an avalanche of legal hurdles and obstacles.  But we need to soldier the nobility of this programme.

In this regard, and to ensure that the implementation of the programme is not derailed any further, I hereby direct and order that The National Treasury, the Ministry responsible for Housing moves to Parliament, a revision to the legal requirement in respect to the Housing Fund Levy, to make the contribution voluntary, with immediate effect.

Fellow Kenyans,

A nation that feeds itself, – just like a family that feeds itself, – stays healthy, secure, united and indeed, stable.  We are on course to weed out the fragments of hunger in society and guarantee food and nutrition security for all. This is supported by increased agricultural production of our major staple foods.

To enhance earnings of our farmers, we are promoting agriculture through structured trading by negotiating market access for our produce in international markets, and restructuring the Kenya National Trading Corporation to better receive and manage farm produce.  We continue to promote our produce abroad to deepen markets and further explore marine and aquaculture resources, in consideration of the new global blue economy model.

With respect to our cash crops, we are making every effort to revitalize and restore their contribution to our national life; and assure the future of coffee and tea in Kenya. My Administration will continue to support tea farmers to enhance diversification of tea varieties; whilst also restructuring the coffee value chain to stimulate productivity and value addition.  We recognize tea and coffee have been prime export products for Kenya since independence.

The increase in cotton production is another key development within the agricultural sector.  The revival of Rivatex and other textile factories, is providing a ready local market for our cotton produce.

The Manufacturing pillar of the Big Four continues to gain momentum as we undertake bold steps, in answer to my pledge to you.

We have begun the journey to lay an additional brick to the realization of our commitment to create more opportunities for our people.  Foreign direct investments in industry are soaring and the number of Kenyans gainfully engaged in the sector continues to grow.  In this context, I am happy to report we will be, in the coming week launching the ground-breaking in the Naivasha Industrial Park, a major investment by a foreign investor in partnership with a local investor.

Fellow Kenyans,

I note with satisfaction that the safeguards we have put in place to protect local industry and guard against dumping, are bearing fruits.  In that regard and to further cement these gains, I urge Kenyans to buy locally made products in support of the “Buy Kenya, Build Kenya Initiative”, as it creates employment and incomes to fellow Kenyans.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are returning the River to its course by making Kenya secure and an attractive destination for investments.  I am pleased to acknowledge that Kenya’s ranking in the World Bank’s Ease-of-Doing-Business Index, improved once again this year, to position 56 among 190 economies.

Since I assumed office, we have improved by 80 positions globally and remain on course towards becoming the top 50 countries next year, as we build upon that momentum to achieve top 25-Status by the middle of the next decade.

Fellow Kenyans,

We should be proud of our achievements.  Evidently, no other country has seen such a sustained and large improvement in ease of doing business over the same period.

This positive change has been most felt by our Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises; who have benefited from our culture of being an open and listening Government that is attuned to the needs of enterprises.

The remarkable progress in the ease of doing business has been due to our reforms in the processes of establishing businesses, issuing construction permits, acquiring electricity, as well as the ease in accessing credit, paying taxes and trading across borders.

We have also increased investment in the energy sector, embraced ICT, and the sustained war against corruption. The institutionalization of these reforms will continue to cement and secure Nairobi’s place as a diplomatic hub and Kenya as a steadfast economic powerhouse in Eastern and Central Africa.

Fellow Kenyans,

There is no doubt the pace at which the economy is growing is not fast enough, to keep pace and to absorb all the graduates released to the job market every year.

To accelerate economic transformation, my Administration is focused on other salient factors that are holding back the potential of our enterprises; particularly with regard to taxes and tax administration, reduction or where possible elimination of fees or charges levied by Government Agencies as well as the Private Sector, reduction of bureaucracy and the simplification of processes in trade, access to credit and streamlining consumer protection assurance.

In order to address some of these challenges, I order and direct as follows:

That The National Treasury and the Kenya Revenue Authority, review our tax structures, especially in relation to small businesses, so as to reduce the tax burden while fostering tax-compliance; and

As a way of reducing the compliance burden on employers, all employer contributions/deductions of NSSF, NHIF, PAYE and NITA be made through a unified payroll return submitted to the Kenya Revenue Authority.

In recognition of the fact that up to 40% of the value of commercial disputes for claims under Kenya Shillings one million are taken up by court fees and advocates charges, thereby making the cost of recovery prohibitively high;

I therefore direct The National Treasury and the Office of the Attorney-General to engage with the Judiciary and formulate a framework that will anchor the waiver of court fees for commercial disputes of less than one million shillings, effective 1st March, 2020, and cause amendments to the Advocates Remuneration Order to make advocates charges in such court cases, more accessible to Kenyans.

Fellow Kenyans,

The repeal of the law capping bank lending interest rates, introduction of ground-breaking financial products such as STAWI Programme, which is geared towards providing affordable credit to SMEs, has already positively impacted hundreds of business by availing low-cost financing, despite only having been launched  recently.

 

In the coming months, my Administration will introduce other products such as Stawisha SME Mashinani and other administrative measures geared towards SMEs to enable them to play their rightful role in our economic transformation agenda.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

Millions of Kenyans woke up this morning in a Nation that has one of the highest rates of electricity connection in the developing world.

 

The Last-Mile Connectivity Initiative has turned electricity connection from a luxurious dream unattainable in most Kenyan homes to an ordinary facet of life, now enjoyed by over 75% of all Kenyan homesteads.

Our children no longer strain their eyes reading under the light of candles nor do they choke with fumes from paraffin lamps.

The Vision of Fathers and Mothers in villages across Kenya, is now powered as those in our towns and cities; affording them equal opportunity to actively participate in national development.  Indeed, the River is well on its course.

We are returning the River to its course through sustained investments in education. Where once education was the preserve of the elite, we now pride ourselves as a nation with one of the highest levels of literacy among our peer-nations.  In Africa, Kenya boasts the highest rate of Primary-to-Secondary School Transition, now at 100%.  When our learners sit down to acquire knowledge and discover their full potential, they do so guided by a new world-class Competence-Based-Curriculum that extensively utilizes digital learning platforms fit for the learning practices and demands of the 21st Century.

 

Our education system has also witnessed a rapid expansion of tertiary education; both in terms of access and scope. Our universities, polytechnics and vocational training institutions ensure that every Kenyan has an opportunity to further their knowledge and expertise; fuelling livelihoods and enabling passions and dreams.  In the medical field, a Kenyan doctor, Peter Mwethera, who, after extensive research, has come up with a gel, that once applied will prevent contact of HIV/AIDS virus and other venereal diseases.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

The bounty of Kenya’s superlative human capital, not only drives our own society and economy, but also those of other nations.  Our highly-educated citizens are much sought after all over the globe. To signify the changing fortunes of our homeland, diaspora remittances grew by 10.9% from KSh. 266.19 billion to KSh. 295.32 billion between June 2018 and June 2019, overtaking earnings from export of tea and coffee as the country’s largest source of foreign exchange.

 

My Fellow Kenyans,

 

When we leave our homes every morning to travel to our schools, workplaces or social centres; we now do so on a network of high-standard roads, expressways, highways and dual carriages.  From Kibwezi – Kitui Road, Lokichar–Lodwar-Loichangamantak–Nakodok, Mombasa – Kwa Jomvu, Isebania–Kisii–Ahero; our network of roads drive our economy.

 

Where once bitumen standard roads were few and far between, now almost every corner of Kenya features extensive kilometers of top-grade roads, with others actively under construction.  Plans are already underway for even greater expansion, key among them East Africa’s first overpass from J.K.I.A. to Westlands, recently inaugurated and presently under construction.

 

This unprecedented enhancement in infrastructure has not been limited to our road network.

 

We have expanded our airports, sea and lake ports and laid the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR); ensuring a diversity in transportation that is unrivalled on the continent.

 

Coupled with an extensive telecommunication network infrastructure that features some of the highest internet speeds anywhere in the world, a Kenyan in even the most remote parts of our country can travel quickly and conveniently and can receive goods and services wherever they are, whenever they wish.

This enabling infrastructure has made Kenya a global leader in the arena of mobile technology.  We have revolutionized mobile banking, FinTech and the integration of cutting-edge technologies with the traditional economy.  Thanks to technology, transactions are now majorly conducted remotely from the palm of our hands and Government Services (Huduma) are requested and received on mobile devices across every last centimetre of our country.

 

As a result, the world has come calling and Kenya has hosted numerous global conferences and international exhibitions, which have enhanced Kenya’s visibility globally.  In this week alone, we have had over 10 Heads of State and Government attend the Summit of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of Countries.

 

All across the country, transformation is taking place and the country is intensely under construction.

 

From the largest wind power in Africa that places Kenya as the world leader in green energy; petroleum exploration in Turkana, that in August propelled Kenya to the list of oil exporting countries of the world, to a new port in Lamu, that is, in addition to the expansion of the Port of Kilindini in Mombasa, to the Isiolo International Airport and the numerous upgraded airstrips in numerous counties, to the rehabilitation of the Port of Kisumu on the shores of Lake Victoria.

 

As an affirmation of the progress we have made; in honour of our solemn and sacred duty, to conserve our environment for current and future generations, in recognition of our credentials in green energy, Kenya was ranked fifth globally and top in Africa in the annual Bloomberg Climate Scope Index for the year 2019.

 

Our initiatives across the country are complimented by the transformation being undertaken by county governments across the country.  I am pleased to note that every county in Kenya has at least one major infrastructure project designed to directly benefit mwananchi.  These infrastructure projects are creating jobs and driving primary, secondary and ancillary business.

 

They are fuelling our economy and giving our growth and development greater impetus, thus creating the Kenya that our forefathers had envisioned.  In their honour, we are returning the River to its course.

My Fellow Kenyans,

Our bold and transformative agenda for a better Kenya, initiated in April 2013, has bridged the gap between standards of living in rural Kenya and that in urban Kenya.

 

The vast inequality and disparity that typified the Kenya of just a decade ago, has been eliminated almost entirely.  A farmer in rural Kenya has agricultural support services within easy reach and their produce reaches the market faster through an improved transport network.

 

Once-sleeping village and town centres, they have roared back to life due to decentralization of Government services as factories spring-up and once mothballed industries, bounce back to life.

 

We are a Government that cares for all its people.  Our senior citizens who have attained the age of 70, orphans and vulnerable children and persons living with severe disability, now receive a monthly stipend from the Government, so that they can continue to live in dignity.

 

This transformation also means that life in urban Kenya no longer features the rampant crime and insecurity that was prevalent just a decade ago.

My Administration has reformed, modernized and revitalized our police service; equipping it with the resources necessary to prevent, detect and deal with crime effectively and efficiently.  We have coupled this with an extensive programme of street lighting, CCTV cameras and enhanced foot and vehicular patrols, in addition to the very successful Nyumba Kumi Initiative.  Our towns and cities are safer and businesses can now operate 24 hours a day.

 

We are returning the River to its course by improving planning and service provision while allowing your taxes to work better for you.  Towards this, we conducted a successful National Census this year, soon after the roll out of Huduma Namba unique personal identifier, building up on this success story.

 

My Fellow Kenyans,

 

A nation is only as strong as its institutions.  Personalities come and go, but institutions endure and outlast us all.  It is therefore my intention to ensure that we fully institutionalize our governance and administrative principles and values as laid out in our Constitution and other laws.  Our Civil Service is the engine that drives the realization and implementation of our Nation’s aspirations and development agenda.

All our State Organs, both tiers of Government and all three arms of Government, are supported by the dedicated and diligent public officers.

 

Most of our civil servants are hardworking and selfless.  They are akin to the freedom fighters who braved the awful conditions of the forests to wage a righteous war for independence against the colonizing power.

 

At both National and County Level, they are birthing an even better Kenya through pens, paper, computers and a renewed commitment to duty and the fight against corruption.

 

The Rule of Law, Good Governance, Integrity, Transparency and Accountability are the pillars of our constitutional democracy.  They are the golden thread that is woven across the entirety of our Supreme Law.

 

Their inclusion was a deliberate codification of the shared values of the People of Kenya and their common aspiration for a better, more responsive and participatory Government, at both levels and across all three arms of Government.

 

Therefore, this golden standard must be applied equally and consistently to all; without fear or favour.

 

That is not only our sacred moral duty, but also our solemn legal obligation demanded of us by the Constitution and the Statute Laws.  On assumption of state office or public office, the officers become the trustees of the people; with a constitutional, statutory and moral duty to administer public affairs and resources in fidelity with the law, and strictly for the benefit of the people.

 

State and public officers are not above law.  Our constitutional order is a jealous one; it demands that state and public officers serve no other master but it. A teacher in the Public Service cannot have one foot in the classroom and the other in Parliament.  One cannot serve as a legislator at the National or County Level while at the same time practicing law, whether or not for gain.

 

In the same way, judges and magistrates cease completely any legal practice while in office, similarly doctors, engineers, accountants and other professionals who take up state or public office, should give up private practice and devote their full time, energies and focus on public duties; and without the perception that they are using state or public office as a mere platform to advance other interests.

 

Fellow Kenyans,

 

Is it fair and right for legislators who have control over funds and exercise oversight over the Judiciary to appear in courts as counsel?  Is it fair on the judicial officer hearing the case or the other parties that, one party in the case is represented by persons who can literally change the law applicable to the dispute, control the career progression of the judge or magistrate or are able to speak with the voice of an entire arm of Government?

 

The position is simple; you either serve the public in the role you signed up for or you serve the Republic as a private practitioner; it is a profound conflict of interest to do both.

 

The war on corruption will continue until we weed out from our midst, those who abuse the privileges of their office for personal benefit.  No magistrate or judge, or any other state or public officer, who has abused the public trust should be allowed to hide behind the veil of autonomy and independence.

I, therefore, direct the Attorney-General to fast-track the submission to Cabinet for approval and transmittal to Parliament, the Law on Conflict of Interest, which has been subject to stakeholders consultation.

 

My Fellow Kenyans,

 

As an affirmation of the steady progress that we are making and as a validation of our historical, tested and proven commitment to Africa’s positions and fulfillment of our obligations at the international level, Kenya has been endorsed overwhelmingly as African Union’s candidate for the non-permanent seat of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the period 2021-2022.  Kenya is ready to serve and we commit to pursue our shared prosperity and advancement of humanity.

 

Fellow Kenyans,

 

Over these Fifty-Six Years, our democracy has evolved tremendously.  Kenya has over the years taken bold and necessary decisions required to better our democracy, legal order and the ability of Government to serve and deliver the Kenyan dream.

As the first elected President under the Constitution of Kenya 2010, I am pleased with how we have implemented that new apex law.

 

Kenya is undoubtedly better today than we were in 2010; in large part because of the changes we ushered in through the new Constitution of Kenya.

 

In 2019, we once again find ourselves called upon to consider further bold and necessary actions, to better our democracy, and to enhance the effectiveness and inclusiveness of our governance system.  Just as in 1963, we have the opportunity to create a better nation by fostering how we govern ourselves.

 

We must not succumb to inertia or be afraid to implement change where necessary.  We must not elevate partisan positions or short-term interests over the greater good.

 

We are called upon to build bridges and heal divisions not because it is easy, but because it is who we are as Kenyans.  The independence-era heroes refused to be compromised with leadership positions while others in their numbers languished in colonial detention.

 

They put aside narrow political glory to self, in favour of Kenya’s wider and enduring interests.  In 2019, we are each called upon once again to put country above self, to put Kenya’s enduring interests above our fears and personal aspirations.  Let us for once say, “Kenya Kwanza; Leo, Kesho na Milele”.

 

My Fellow Kenyans,

 

Let us return the River to its course by emulating the independence generation who sought to build a united Kenya.

 

They had the dream of “One Kenya, One People”. Over the years, this fundamental platform was diminished by political balkanization, pandering to narrow divides and succumbing to the false allure of transient political aspirations.

 

Whereas all Kenyans have a part to play in bringing the Kenyan dream to fruition, Kenya’s political leadership must take the lead in this process.  To do this, we must adopt a long term view of what we hope Kenya will become in the future.

 

In this regard, we must remember that ancient African mantra that “a society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they know they shall never sit”.

 

Each of us, you and me; must make daily decisions purely driven by Kenya’s wider and enduring interests. This is not an unreasonable ask or an impossible position.

 

We are gathered here today to celebrate men and women who did precisely that; whether in resisting the invading colonial forces, or confronting them once they established their rule, or building this blessed Nation after we expelled the colonizer.  We are their descendants; their greatness flows in our blood and their sacrifice forged our bones. To return the River to its course, we must live and breathe the mantra of “Kenya Kwanza; Leo, Kesho na Milele”.

 

My Fellow Kenyans,

 

What is this “Kenya Kwanza; Leo, Kesho na Milele” on a day to day basis?  It is committing, like the independence-era generation, to doing all that is necessary for Kenya to thrive and achieve all our collective aspirations for a brighter and better tomorrow.  In 2019, we are not asked to fight in the forests or to confront a colonial power on the streets.

 

We are called upon to obey the law, to discharge our civic duty, to conserve our environment, to care for our parents and children, to refuse to be corrupt, to be mindful of our neighbours, to bring blessings to the less fortunate and to resist negative ethnicity, tribalism, religious divides and everything that undermine our unity and cohesion.

 

We are a Nation called upon to be great, to be a beacon of hope for others, to be on this earth the reflection of divine providence, favour and protection. Fifty Six Years on, our democracy is stronger.

 

Fellow Kenyans,

 

Now is the time to recommit ourselves and put “Kenya Kwanza; Leo, Kesho na Milele”. In so doing, we shall have honoured the enduring legacy of the independence-generation to whom we are greatly indebted.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND MAY GOD BLESS KENYA. ASANTENI.

President Kenyatta Asks Parliament To End Standoff Over Allocation For Counties

President Uhuru Kenyatta has called on the National Assembly and the Senate to end the stalemate over the Division of Revenue Bill 2019 to allow release of funds to counties.

He said Members of Parliament should act quickly to ensure that counties get their share of the available funds because any further delay will deny Kenyans the services they need.

The President however reminded MPs that the Government does not have unlimited resources and should bear in mind that what the National Government has been allocating to counties is much more higher than the threshold set by the Constitution.

“The Constitution says we give a minimum of 15 percent to counties. Within one year I took it to over 30 percent,” said the President as he called on modesty and honesty in demands for more allocations for counties.

“Why can you not pass the Bill so that people can get services. Reach an agreement so that we can release funds to counties,” said the President.

The President said the country does not have unlimited resources and leaders should not act as if money flows freely and that Kenya’s “resources are unlimited.”

The Head of State said leaders also need to change their attitudes and understanding of devolution because the system of governance does not stand for competition between different levels of government.
“It is two systems of Government complementing each other to deliver services for the people,” said the President.

He said devolution as a system of government is working for Kenyans and what is needed is for leaders to change their approach to leadership.
“I want to acknowledge my believe that devolution is working. What we need now is to focus on the agenda of delivering for the people who put us in leadership,” said the President.

The Head of State spoke after he officially opened the Ugatuzi Plaza that houses the Nakuru County Assembly Chamber on Wednesday August 14, 2019.

He said elected leaders owe a debt to the electorate and the only way to repay them is to deliver services to them.
The President said he was impressed by the refurbishment and expansion of the Ugatuzi Plaza while also commending Nakuru MCAs for putting the interests of the people before theirs after revelations that the grassroots leaders had resolved not to use county funds on foreign travel.

President Kenyatta at the same time called on elected leaders to go slow on politics and concentrate on service delivery.

He said peace and unity are very important for the progress of the country because investors will put their money where there is safety.
“Help me to bring Kenyans together. In me you have a partner in development,” said the President who addressed MCAs during a session inside the County Assembly chamber.

The session was also addressed by Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui, Senator Susan Kihika and Nakuru Town West MP Samuel Arama among other leaders.

Protect innovations by young scientists- President Kenyatta tells Education Ministry

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Saturday August 3, 2019 directed education and trade ministries to put in place a robust mechanism for securing scientific ideas, projects and innovations by the Kenyan youth.

The President said the country’s future lies in scientific innovations and called for concerted efforts by all stakeholders to ensure that transformative innovations are adequately safeguarded.

President Kenyatta who spoke when he presided over the official opening of the second Young Scientists Kenya National and Technology Exhibition at KICC in Nairobi County directed relevant state agencies to secure intellectual property rights for young innovators.

Young Scientist Kenya (YSK) which is a joint project by the ministry of education and the government of Ireland is aimed at promoting innovations by young scientists. This year’s exhibition attracted 235 entries and is attended by over 45,000 participants among them students from across the country.

The President said the government is implementing the Competence Based Curriculum (CBC) to keep up with the fast changing world characterized by remarkable advances in science and technology particularly in information, communication and computing.

“This system (CBC) goes beyond the learning of science and technology that typified the old order and instead lays emphasis on practical learning in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), ” he said.

The Head of State said CBC is “a fit-for-purpose learning system” that offer all learners an opportunity to delve deeper into scientific fields enabling them to achieve their aspirations.

To boost young innovators, the President announced plans to hold a national business bootcamp within the next 9 months to refine viable innovations into commercial projects.

He directed the Kenya Intellectual Property Rights Office to offer free patents to viable innovations generated during YSK exhibitions.

“Further, and to encourage linkages with industry, I similarly direct a waiver of trademark fees with respect to all innovations emanating from Young Scientists Exhibitions, beginning from 2018,” the President announced.

President Kenyatta said his administration is keen to replicate the Irish model of supporting innovation by offering special incentives for private sector investors who support innovations by the youth.

“Between our young scientists, the private sector and the government, we can ensure that the next groundbreaking discoveries and innovations in science and technology are of Kenyan origin,” he said.

The President challenged young scientists to develop innovations aligned to the country’s Big 4 and Vision 2030 development agenda whose aim is to transform the lives of ordinary Kenyans.

“Focus on cost effective innovations for enhancing our food and nutrition security, housing, universal health care and manufacturing, will be highly appreciated,” he advised.

Amb Fionnuala Quinlan of Ireland assured the President that her country will continue partnering with Kenya to ensure innovations by young people continue to improve so as to contribute more to the development and transformation of Kenya.

Others who spoke during the event were Education CS Prof George Magoha and Vocational and Technical Training PS Dr Kevit Desai.

Also read;

List of all current TSC Commissioners, term of office and their roles

President Kenyatta, Regional Leaders Witness Signing Of Transitional Government Pact In Sudan

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Sunday, 17th August, 2019 joined several African Heads of State and Governments in witnessing the signing of a pact that will establish a transitional government in Sudan.

The deal brings to an end the standoff between civilians and military forces that has been dragging on for several months.

President Kenyatta hailed the transitional military authority and the opposition for the power sharing deal which is expected to lead to democratic elections in 39 months, saying the leaders had put the interests of their country before their own.
“I commend you for putting the interests of the people first and agreeing to negotiate for peace,” said President Kenyatta when he spoke at the ceremony held in Khartoum’s Corinthia Hotel.

The President assured the leaders of the transitional authority and the people of Sudan that Kenya will stand by them as they embark on the journey towards democracy.

He urged the Sudanese people to resolve their pending differences through dialogue and to uphold the rule of law.
“Peace and security is the foundation upon which everything stands. The region and the international community are ready to support you in building strong institutions of governance,” President Kenyatta said.

Noting that Sudan is a country that is rich in its diversity, President Kenyatta said the nation’s structure of government should reflect its heterogeneity to guarantee inclusion for all.

The President, who was accompanied by Foreign Affairs CS Amb Monica Juma, said a peaceful and united Sudan is in the best interest of the region and the whole of Africa.

The other Heads of State and Government who attended the signing ceremony included Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, President Salva Kiir (South Sudan), President Idriss Deby Itno (Chad) and President Faustin-Archange Touadéra (Central African Republic). Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and African Union Commission Chair Moussa Faki Mahamat also attended.
Prime Minister Abiy said African leaders as well as representatives from all over the world were gathered in Khartoum to congratulate the Sudanese leaders for the selfless decision of choosing country over self.
He said the agreement signed in Khartoum proves that the tradition of coming together to resolve disagreements will continue to be a beacon for the people of Africa.

PM Abiy said regional States have actively contributed towards the signing of the agreement because they want to have a united and peaceful Sudan.

The power sharing pact was signed by Transitional Military Council leader Gen Abdul Fatah Al-Burhan and the Forces for Freedom and Change leader Ahmad Al-Rabiah.

Under the deal, the ruling council of transitional government will have a civilian majority and will be revealed a day after the signing ceremony.
A Prime Minister will be named on August 20 while the Cabinet will be unveiled a week later on August 28.

Full address by President Uhuru Kenyatta today on the 8-point stimulus programme

Here is the Presidential address on the Coronavirus pandemic: The 8-Point Stimulus Program, Saturday 23rd, May 2020;

“Today I want you to reflect on the state of our economy with me. 

But before I invite you to do so, let me first make an observation. Whenever we talk to you about the economy, we bombard you with figures and statistics without a human face.

Yet behind these figures are real lives. 

There is a hardworking farmer who mixes his sweat with the soil in order to feed his or her family and our communities;

a diligent mother who has the double role of nurturing the family and maintaining a full-time job;

an aspiring and driven young person, with hopes and dreams for tomorrow;

and an impatient teen who cannot wait to grow up and be a part of the game. 

But when we give you economic figures, you never see the faces of these Kenyans. 

Today, I will paint a picture of these Kenyans.  

The Coronavirus pandemic will continue undermining our efforts to revitalize the economy for the unforeseeable future.  The rate of infections may SURGE upwards if we FAIL to comply with the protocols issued by the Ministry of Health. It is my prayer that we heed the call and conduct ourselves with responsibility and 

As of this morning, we have cumulatively tested 57,650 samples, out of which 1,192 persons have tested positive for the Coronavirus disease, with 50 of our compatriots having so far, succumbed. 

Because of the effects of this pandemic on the economy, there are Kenyans who have been stripped off their dignity, they cannot feed their families or pay their rent. 

Many of these Kenyans find themselves in a vulnerable and difficult situation. 

And that is why EVERY week, my Administration, has been dispatching a total of 250 Million Shillings to vulnerable families.

And you may ask WHY we have chosen to directly send the money to these vulnerable groups?  We are MOTIVATED by two reasons.

One, in the past, if a family could not feed itself because of floods or famine, or other such natural calamities we rushed to give them FOOD RELIEF. 

Government got suppliers, gave them resources to buy the food and arranged for the logistics of distributing the relief to those in need.

Unfortunately, with this measures we only discovered with time.

We noted that half the financial resources given to relief suppliers were LOST to BROKERS and logistics. 

Very little of such resources reached to the targeted groups. We had to change this method of support delivery by leveraging on technology through cash transfers directly to the families. 

This way we have by-passed BROKERS and CARTELS.

Two, we have catalyzed the local economies by injecting 250 million shillings each week through these families.

Money in the hands of a family, gives them power to make economic choices in their local spaces and not depend on lining up to receive food donations. 

And these choices catalyze and build the economy from the bottom up. 

During these unprecedented times of CORONA VIRUS, we have to cushion the economy from below and not from top down.

See also; Schools’ reopening: Committee retreats to look at proposals, announces date when to expect report

Now, I will PAINT a second PICTURE.  It is about our young people. 

Our nation is made up of over 70% young people. 

Although this gives me hope, because a young population is better equipped to fight the Corona virus, it also WORRYING.

Worrying because, during a pandemic like the one we have, the SHEER ENERGY of our young population will FIGHT the VIRUS, alright. 

BUT in the process, their energy could also be misdirected. 

And this is why we MUST direct it to constructive use.

 As we fight this VIRUS, I have started to HARNESS the ENERGY of our young people, engaging them in the National Hygiene Programme – Kazi Mtaani Initiative.

Under this programme, we will SPEND a total of 10 Billion shillings engaging our youth in restoring public hygiene standards, urban civil works, and other public undertakings. 

Currently, during the trial period the number of youth engaged is 26,000; we intend to increase that number to 200,000 youths, across the country.  

And to make it sustainable after the COVID crisis, we will regiment them into livelihood guilds. These are small groups of young people with a purpose, and a passion for Kenya. 

Working with county governments, we will look for ways of generating work for them.

We are making this endeavor through an urban renewal programme to upgrade and to modernize our towns and cities; we want our towns to be clean and green, just like Singapore is.  There is no reason why Kenya cannot be.

Fellow Kenyans,

This COVID-19 pandemic is not only a health crisis, it is fundamentally an economic crisis.  Jobs have been lost, businesses have closed and the economy is on a go-slow.  To combat the effects of this down-turn, my Administration has had to take additional measures.

Today, I am happy to announce the rolling out of my 8-Point Economic Stimulus Programme, amounting to a total of Ksh 53.7 Billion. 

The injection of this money into the economy will stimulate growth and cushion families and companies as we navigate our way out the COVID-19 pandemic.

The first element of the 8-point programme will focus on infrastructure.  Following the ongoing rains, road infrastructure has been adversely affected across the entire country.  To address this challenge in the short term, as a Government, we intend to rehabilitate access roads, footbridges and other public infrastructure.

We have set aside a total of Ksh. 5 billion to hire local labour for this undertaking. 

We are convinced, with the use of local labour and local construction materials, in line with our “Buy Kenya Build Kenya” Policy, we will stimulate and support micro and small business enterprises.

The second element of the stimulus programme will be about education. I know the anxiety weighing on the minds of parents and their children in regard to when schools will re-open. We will in the very near future, be communicating, what plans and programmes we have for the education sector. In that regard, we have allocated an additional budget of KSh. 6.5 Billion to the Ministry of Education. 

The purpose of this is to hire 10,000 teachers and 1,000 ICT interns to support digital learning.  The programme will also support the improvement of school infrastructure, including acquisition of 250,000 locally fabricated desks.  The aim is to get thousands of our graduates off the bench and into action while we support local artisans and builders businesses.

The third element of the programme will target Small and Medium Enterprises.  During this COVID pandemic, the liquidity of these enterprises has been adversely affected.

The stimulus programme will deal with this in two ways.  First and Foremost, we have allocated Ksh 10 Billion to fast-track payment of outstanding VAT refunds and other pending payments.  I am also happy to note that just yesterday, we released Ksh. 30 Billion towards payment of pending bills in the roads sector.

In addition to this, we will inject Ksh 3 Billion as seed capital for the SME Credit Guarantee Scheme.  The intention here is to provide affordable credit to small and micro enterprises. 

And to do so in an efficient and structured manner, borrowing from the professional standards and practices of private sector credit arrangements. 

Health is our fourth target of the 8-point stimulus programme.  My Administration intends to  hire an additional 5,000 healthcare workers with diploma/certificate – level qualification for a period of one year. This will not only enhance our COVID-19 response capability but also enhance the implementation of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) programme.

Further, the stimulus programme will set aside Ksh.1.7 Billion for the expansion of bed capacity in our public hospitals. I encourage the Ministry of Health to utilize our Jua Kali Sector in this endeavor.

Similarly, resources will be pumped into our medical research facilities to enhance their research capacity, which is critical to generation of new innovations in the medical field. 

But with the extra resources, these facilities will also undergo some level of reforms to optimize their performance. 

Fellow Kenyans, we will in due course announce a raft of reforms in our research institutions. I am persuaded that these reforms will upscale our medical research facilities to a standard that can rival the best in the world.

The fifth element of the stimulus programme will focus on agriculture.  My Administration has prioritized Ksh. 3 billion for the supply of farm inputs through e-vouchers, targeting 200,000 small scale farmers. 

This is meant to cushion farmers from the effects of adverse weather, and to secure food supply chains in the post COVID-19 period and into the future.  Further, under this programme we have allocated Ksh. 1.5 billion to assist flower and horticultural producers to access international markets, in a period where we have a shortage of flights into and out of the country. 

 These interventions will support the sustenance of our farming communities and provide continued gainful employment for thousands of workers in our bread basket areas.

Tourism is the sixth area of target for the stimulus programme.  This sector has suffered the most – because of restricted movements, and termination of international flights.

To jumpstart this important sector, and protect its players from heavy financial losses, my Administration will provide soft loans to hotels and related establishments through the Tourism Finance Corporation (TFC), and A total of Ksh 2 Billion will be set aside to support renovation of facilities and the restructuring of business operations by actors in this industry.

In addition to this, funding will also be set aside to support the operations of our premier hospitality institution, Utalii College, to guarantee the steady supply of well-trained hospitality professionals.

The tourism component of the stimulus programme will also engage 5,500 community scouts under the Kenya Wildlife Service at a cost of Ksh. 1 billion.  Additionally support will be made available to approximately 160 community conservancies at a cost of Ksh. 1 billion.

Fellow Kenyans, we want to green our country and hence the seventh element of the stimulus concerns the environment.  To mitigate the impact of deforestation and climate change, and to enhance the provision of water facilities, my Administration will rehabilitate wells, water pans and underground tanks in the Arid and Semi-Arid areas. For this purpose, we have set aside Ksh. 850 million.  A further Ksh 1Billion has also been set aside for flood control measures; and another Ksh 540 Million for our Greening Kenya Campaign.

 Our Eighth and final element of the stimulus programme is manufacturing.  As a strategy, we will enforce the policy on “Buy Kenya Build Kenya”.

To this end, my Administration will set aside an initial investment of Ksh. 600 million to purchase locally manufactured vehicles.  This is expected to sustain the operations of local motor vehicle manufacturers, and the attendant employment of workers.

 I also want at this point to thank the National Assembly and Parliament as a whole for its incisive and speedy consideration and approval of the tax measures my Administration proposed to spur the economy – by ensuring that employees have more of their earnings available to them to spend and to reduce the corporate tax burden as an incentive to business enterprises.

I therefore take this opportunity similarly urge the August House to consider, on a priority basis the Budget Proposals to anchor my 8 – Point Economic Stimulus Programme in order to release this money to Kenyans who are in need.

Finally, my Fellow Kenyans, the challenges of the moment have put us on a new road.  And the twists and turns of this road are unknown.  Not only to us, but to the world at large.  Every Country is struggling to find a way forward.

But I am comforted by only one thing about Kenyans.  Throughout our history, we are on record as a people who know how to do a good fight.  And we have proven this over and over again.  If we stay the course, we will overcome this challenge as we have done in the past.

 I urge all of us to remain true to our country and confident that the endurance we are so famous for will drive us to victory.

I take this early opportunity to wish our Muslim Brothers and Sisters a Happy Idd-Ul-Fitr.

God bless you, God bless our Beloved Nation.”

Also read;

The National Assembly, Parliament, may be dissolved soon

The National Assembly is staring at an imminent dissolution if a petition sent to the Chief Justice, Honorable David Maraga, goes through. Two Petitioners, Honourable Stephen Owoko and John Wangai, in a petition dated 29th November 2018 want the Chief Justice to dissolve Parliament for failing to pass the two thirds gender bill. In the petition, the two want the Chief Justice, who is also the president of the Supreme Court,  to advise the president, H.E Uhuru Kenyatta, to dissolve the parliament pursuant to Article 261 (7) of the Kenya Constitution 2010 and High Court Ruling by Justice John Mativo that was made in March 2017.

According to Article 81(b) of the Kenyan Constitution, there should be not more than two thirds of the members of elective public bodies of the same gender some thing that parliament has continued to violate. The bill by Parliament majority leader, Hon. Duale, to pass the gender bill flopped this week after the house was hit by a quorum hitch.

“If the gender principle will not be implemented by June (2017) anyone could write a petition to the Chief Justice to advise the president to dissolve the parliament,” reads a verdict issued by High Court Judge, John Mativo, in March 2017.

In the historic precedent set by the Supreme Court of Kenya, the Honourable Chief Justice stated that, “It is also in our view that the greatness of a Nation lies not in the mighty of its armies, important as that may be, not in the largeness of its economy, important as that may be, the greatness of a Nation lies in its fidelity to the Constitution and the strict adherence to the rule of law and above all the fear of God.”

“Therefore, your humble petitioners pray that pursuant to Article 261 (7), the Honourable Chief Justice to advise the president to dissolve the parliament until it is conformity with Article 81(b) of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 and is well constituted,” the petitioners say in their final submission.

It now remains to be seen if indeed the Chief Justice will heed to the petition and advise the president to dissolve the National Assembly for not meeting the Constitutional requirement.

UHC Will Help End Extreme Poverty, President Kenyatta Says

President Uhuru Kenyatta has said the Kenyan government is rolling out the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) program as part of a grand plan to transform the county into a newly industrializing, middle income country by 2030.

The President said access to affordable and quality health services will help end extreme poverty and improve productivity especially in low and middle income countries.

“My Government’s Vision 2030 aims to transform Kenya into a newly industrializing, middle-income country providing a high quality of life to all its citizens by 2030.

“We believe that improving the health and welfare of citizens lays guarantees for economic growth and competitiveness by ensuring healthy productive populations,” the President said.

President Kenyatta spoke at the high-level meeting on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) held on the sidelines of the ongoing United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, USA said the Kenyan government is rolling a UHC pilot phase targeting 3.2 million people.

He said the pilot phase now in its nineth month is focused on strengthening primary health care as well as identifying best practices, lessons and gaps.

The President who shared lessons from the pilot with the world leaders attending the forum said political commitment was key to the success of UHC.

“This commitment must embody a shared vision of all political leaders and actors, especially in countries with more than one level of government like Kenya.

“Furthermore, the commitment will only be impactful if translated from a shared vision to collaborative action,” the President said.

He said the largest dividend that can be gained from political commitment is the mobilisation of community and citizen ownership of UHC.

“The principle of ‘leave no one behind’, needs to resonate with each and every citizen, thus reinforcing the much needed social accountability for the success of service delivery interventions,” President Kenyatta said.

The Kenyan leader said the harmonisation and alignment of all actions and interventions by health sector actors is key to the success of UHC.

He said the Kenyan UHC pilot phase has provided encouraging feedback that has reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to make further investments in affordable health care.

“It continues to be work-in-progress. We are inching closer to ‘leave no-one behind’ with special focus on the most vulnerable populations,” the President said.

He said the high-level meeting was an opportunity to renew and galvanize global political commitment while creating more partnerships towards realization of UHC for all.

While reiterating Kenya’s support and commitment to the global efforts towards the achievement of UHC and SDGs, the President said his administration is keen on forging partnerships that will assist it to invest more in health especially in primary health care services.

Earlier, President Kenyatta held bilateral talks with the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres during which the two leaders discussed Kenya’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the period 2021 to 2022 as well as the ongoing UN reforms especially Nairobi’s desire to host a UN Global Service Delivery Model Centre (GSDM).

The President informed the Secretary General of the recent African Union’s endorsement of Kenya as Africa’s candidate for the UNSC seat saying the country is “finalizing on a comprehensive agenda for the security council membership.”

He said the agenda will address some of the current global challenges and ensure that Kenya makes considerable contributions to global peace, security and sustainable development.

On GSDM, the President welcomed the institutional reforms of the UN saying they are aimed at making the global body more efficient, effective and accountable.

He said Kenya welcomes the Secretary General’s proposal of Nairobi as one of the four global GSDM centres.

“I want to thank you for your confidence in Kenya and to assure you that Kenya will continue to give its full support to this initiative and to the overall reform process underway at the United Nations,” the President assured Mr Guterres.

Related news;

President Uhuru Kenyatta launches Africa’s largest wind power project

President Kenyatta to attend TICAD 7 in Yokohama, Japan; to meet investors

His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta left the country yesterday evening for Yokohama, Japan to attend the 7th edition of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 7) that kicks off on August 28th.

At the three-day international conference focusing on development in Africa which will run until August 30th, Kenya will be seeking to strengthen its bilateral relations as well as consolidate cooperation with Japan in various sectors of the economy.
Hinged on the theme of “Advancing Africa’s Development through People, Technology and Innovation”, TICAD 7 provides an opportunity for Kenya to engage directly with Japanese investors.

The Kenyan delegation to TICAD 7 is also focused on optimizing the resources available in Japan for the delivery of the Big 4 Agenda in all areas including in Agriculture, Affordable Housing, Universal Health Coverage and Manufacturing.

TICAD 7 builds on TICAD 6, the first ever Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) on African soil that Kenya hosted in Nairobi three years ago in September 2016.
Apart from showcasing Kenya’s growth and exposing Japan to available areas of cooperation in trade and investment, TICAD 6 also facilitated a high-level policy dialogue between African leaders and Africa’s development partners on issues regarding growth, sustainable development, security, peace and stability. TICAD 7 will review the progress made on these issues and chart the way forward.

Launched by Japan in 1993 to promote Africa’s development, TICAD has over the years grown into a major global and multilateral forum for mobilizing and sustaining international support for Africa’s development under the principles of Africa ownership and international partnership.

Kenya Is Open And Ready For US Investments, President Kenyatta Tells Top American Executives

President Uhuru Kenyatta has asked US investors to make Kenya their investment destination of choice in Africa.

The President said his Administration’s Big 4 Agenda, particularly the manufacturing component where the Government’s plan is to lift the sector’s contribution to the economy from the current 8.4 percent of GDP to 15 percent by 2022, offers limitless investment opportunities for US companies.

“The sector (manufacturing) presents major opportunities for local and foreign investors in areas such as agro-processing through value addition in key value chains such as textiles and leather, the maritime sector, construction, iron and steel, oil and gas,” the President said.

President Kenyatta who spoke On September 24, 2019 at a private sector forum hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce and attended by tens of top executives from leading US multinationals said Kenya is seeking sustainable business partnerships with American corporations.

“As we deepen the relationship between Kenya and the United States, it is partnerships with corporations such as the ones you represent, which drive and sustain the relationship,” the President told the executives led by Scott Eisner, President of the US-Africa Business Center who is also the Senior Vice President of the US Chamber of Commerce.

Alongside manufacturing, the President said food and nutrition security, affordable housing and Universal Health Coverage (UHC) are other priority sectors with huge investment potential.

President Kenyatta said his administration’s target of constructing 500,000 affordable housing units is on course and rallied the American companies to channel their resources into the program.

“More than half of the funding for this program (housing) will be raised from private sector sources. We will also be seeking investments in alternative building materials and technologies,” he said.

On UHC, the President called for partnerships especially in the supply of specialized medical equipment, establishment of pharmaceutical companies, upgrading and management of health facilities, and implementation of innovative health financing options.

Besides the four priority areas, the President invited the investors to explore opportunities in ICTs, infrastructure, tourism and the blue economy.

He advised the American business community to pay particular attention to Kenya’s financial sector where the country is a renown for its world class mobile money solutions.

“The digital finance ecosystem has evolved to provide additional services including insurance, utility payments, pensions, and issuance of government bonds in small denominations, accessible to the public.

“Significant investment and growth opportunities continue to exist in this dynamic and evolving sector,” President Kenyatta said.

The President noted with satisfaction the steady rise in the number of American companies setting up business in Kenya in recent years.

“I am very pleased to note that since my engagement with the business community this time last year, a number of (American) companies have entered the Kenyan market and opened offices in Kenya,” he said.

President Kenyatta who led a strong Kenyan delegation that included Governor Lee Kinyanjui of Nakuru County welcomed the US investors to Kenya and assured them of the government’s full support.

“We seek to ensure that only will your businesses thrive but that you will contribute to Kenya’s development through job creation, resource and technology transfer,” the President assured the American corporate leaders.

He said the Kenyan economy is robust and that his administration continues to progressively implement policy, market and infrastructure reforms that guarantee a thriving business environment.

“For the companies that are yet to invest in Kenya, I encourage you to engage with your counterparts who are already working in Kenya.

“They will assure you that in Kenya, you will find a vibrant economy growing at about 6 percent per year, a labour force that is well educated and entrepreneurial, a supportive business investment environment and a good transport and ICT infrastructure,” the President said.

The Head of State listed the Mombasa-Nairobi-Naivasha Standard Gauge Railway line and the new Lamu Port as some of the mega infrastructure projects implemented by his administration to enhance the business environment in the East African nation.

Earlier, President Kenyatta held separate bilateral talks with the President of Portugal Marcelo Rebelo de Souza and the Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen on the sidelines of the ongoing United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The President and the two leaders discussed matters of mutual interest between Kenya and their respective countries among them trade, investments and people-to-people interactions as well as Kenya’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the period 2021 to 2022.

President Uhuru orders for employment of county scouts teachers and arrests to Boys insulting Matiang’i, Amina

President Uhuru Kenyatta has issued a strong warning to young people who engage in unlawful activities, saying such vices will not be tolerated. President Kenyatta, who is also the Patron of the Kenya Scouts Association, emphasized that those engaging in negative activities will be dealt with severely according to the law.

While warning young people indulging in negative activities, the president confirmed that the boys who abused government officials had been nabbed. “I want to tell you young men and women, you are our future and we are proud of you. But I also equally send a very strong warning to those young fellows who think that they can indiscriminately involve themselves in negative activities. And as I talk to you today, those young boys  are where they should be (in police custody) in order for them to be disciplined. ” President Kenyatta said. The president said this in relation to videos that went viral online this past week in which school boys were heard abusing Ministry of Education Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Amina Mohammed, and her Interior and National Coordination Counterpart, Dr. Fred Matiang’i. Read more here: Students caught on Video insulting CS Amina, Matiang’i

The president asked the youths to respect elders. He warned the boys who were heard bragging about cheating that they will face dire consequences. “And indeed if you are ready to brag about cheating, then we shall show you what this nation does with cheats and people who have no respect for their elders. Hiyo tutawaonyesha (they will be disciplined),” the president said. Yesterday, police confirmed that they had arrested three of the boys who had been identified by the Principal to Ambira boys.

The President was speaking at State House, Nairobi, when he presided over this year’s Kenya Scouts Association’s Patron’s Day and presented various awards to members of the association for their contribution to the scouts movement and the country.

Photo (Courtesy of State House)- President Uhuru inspects a guard of honour by the Kenya Scouts Association, at State House Yesterday. The President has directed the Teachers Service Commission, TSC, to employ two teachers per county to be in charge of scouting activities.

Recognizing the scout movement’s potential to support government efforts to instill discipline among the country’s youth, President Kenyatta directed that the Teachers Service Commission  to deploy two teachers to each county to coordinate scouting programmes in schools. “As we have just agreed, there will be two teachers, paid for by the National Government paid for through the Teachers Service Commission in each county to support and work with the scouting Association to help us grow the movement but, also to help us once again to instill discipline,” said President Kenyatta.

He urged schools to make use of the scouting movement as a partner and use its influence to instill the culture of discipline in our schools. President Kenyatta also assured that the Government will double its financial allocation to the Kenya Scouts Association, commending the association for its prudent use of public funds.

The President said the approximately KShs. 105 million allocated to the Scouts Association annually has been put to good use leading to a significant increase in numbers of young people who have joined the association.

“The increase of membership from 125,000 in 2013 to 1.4 million making it the largest youth organization in Kenya and in Africa today is no mean achievement. It means money has been spent well,” President Kenyatta said.

“Because you have used the funds well, starting this coming financial year, we shall double the allocation to ensure this association continue to do the good work that it is doing,” he continued.

The President asked the National Land Commission to regularize the status of all land belonging to the Kenya Scouts Association and hand it back to the association before close of this year.

He said the Ministry of Youth and Public Service Ministry will work with the Association to convert those lands, where possible, into fully operational Scout Centers where scouts can carry out their programmes.

“This is to give the growing number of scouts safe and convenient spaces to carry out scouting programme activities,” the President said.

The President pointed out that being a scout is supposed to be an added advantage when one is seeking employment especially in the disciplined forces and in public service, and directed that scouts should be accorded priority in recruitment.

“If there are two applicants for police, for the military or any Government job who have the same marks, the one who participated as a scout should have the edge,” President Kenyatta said. President Kenyatta agreed to the association’s request to make the Patron’s Day an annual event.

Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs Cabinet Secretary Prof. Margaret Kobia said the Government through various ministries dealing with the youth empowerment agenda appreciate the methods and the procedures used by the scouting movement in teaching young minds fundamental principles that are of great importance to national development.

“Virtues such as integrity, patriotism, equality, dignity and social justice – these are the character traits needed in our youth for attainment of a just, equitable and cohesive society as envisaged in Kenya’s Vision 2030 development blueprint,” Prof. Kobia said.

Other speakers included the Kenya Scouts Association Chief Commissioner Victor Radido who gave an update on the association’s activities and thanked President Kenyatta and the Government for enhancing financial allocation to the association, a move that has enabled it to increase the number of scouts in the country.

You may also like:

Do not over react Mr. President- Angry Kenyans respond to the president’s directive on arrests of the Ambira boys

Raila Odinga blocks his friend turned foe, Miguna Miguna

Police arrest 15 boys and an equal number of girls while engaging in a sex party

 

President Kenyatta Assents To County Allocation Of Revenue Bill, 2019; Counties now to receive Shs378.1 billion

In Summary;

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday September 18, 2019 signed into law the Division of Revenue Bill 2019, paving the way for the release of funds to counties. The new law allocates Shs 378.1 billion to county governments for the 2019/20 financial year.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has signed into law two Bills among them the County Allocation of Revenue Bill, 2019.

The County Allocation of Revenue Act 2019 provides for the equitable allocation of revenue raised nationally among the county governments for the 2019/20 financial year.

The Act also facilitates the transfer of the allocated funds from the Consolidated Fund to respective County Revenue Funds.

At the brief signing ceremony on Wednesday 18 September, 2019 and witnessed by Deputy President Dr William Ruto, the President also appended his signature on the Copyright (Amendment) Bill, 2019.

The Copyright (Amendment) Act 2019 is aimed at addressing growing concerns about royalty rights in the country especially the collection and disbursement of fees and dues to copyright holders.

Present during the signing ceremony were Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua, Attorney General Paul Kihara, National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi and his Senate counterpart Ken Lusaka.

Others were Leader of Majority in the National Assembly Aden Duale, Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo and Clerk of the National Assembly Michael Sialai and his Senate counterpart Jeremiah Nyegenye.

President Kenyatta Congratulates Kenyan Sports Teams For Outstanding Performances

President Uhuru Kenyatta has congratulated Kenyan teams representing the country in various international sporting events for outstanding performances.

The President said he has been closely following exploits by the country’s sports men and women adding that he is particularly impressed by the strong showing by the Kenyan contingent at the African Games in Rabat, Morocco.

“I have been closely and keenly following performances by our national teams representing the country in the various international sporting events,” the President said.

“I am particularly impressed by the performances by our teams at the 12th African Games in Rabat, Morocco,” he added.

Kenya is ranked 7th at the African Games with a total of 31 medals, 11 gold, 10 silver and 10 bronze. Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa occupy the top three positions with 270, 126 and 87 medals respectively.
The President said the hard fought win last evening by Malkia Strikers, the country’s national women volleyball team, was typical of the resilience and the fighting spirit of the Kenyan people.

“We all saw how our volleyball queens put up a spirited fight to win gold last night. They fought hard against a tough Cameroonian team to retain their title as African Champions,” he said.
“Then there was our team captain in Rabat, Julius Yego who not only retained his African Championship by winning gold but also ensured fellow Kenyan Alexander Kiprotich came second,” the President added.

Other notable Kenyan performances at the continental games which end today include a silver medal win by boxer Shaffi Bakari in the 52kg flyweight, the half marathon gold win by Titus Ekiru and a podium sweep by Kenya in men’s 5000m as well as the gold win by George Manangoi in 1500m.

The President also congratulated the Kenyan team which finished second at the World Martial Arts Mastership Tong Il Moo Do in South Korea for a splendid performance.

“Our martial arts team has also done our country proud by emerging second in South Korea. The fact that the team has excelled in a sport that Kenya is not traditionally known for is a demonstration of the huge sporting potential among our youth that the government is keen to tap into,” President Kenyatta said.

The martial arts team finished second after amassing a total of nine medals consisting of two gold, two silver and five bronze medals.

Related news;

Soccer- Uganda stuns Kenya 4-0 at the 2019 CECAFA U15 Championship final to lift trophy