Kenyan Principals ask Citizens to be Ready to Steer the Nation
by John Harry Ndeta, Ajabu Africa News, posted JAN 6, 2011

NAIROBI, Kenya_President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga have called upon Kenyans at home and abroad to remain steadfast and be ready to steer the country in the new year 2011.

In his New Year message to the nation, President Kibaki thanked Kenyans for their dedication to the country’s well-being and attributed the commendable gains so far achieved by the nation to their hard work.

The President confirmed that Kenyans had achieved important milestones in various areas of national endeavor with the promulgation of the new Constitution standing out amongst the rest.
“I thank you the Kenyan people for your dedication to our country.  I salute your hard work that has enabled us make the strides we have made as a nation,” said President Kibaki.

Urging Kenyans to commit the country to God’s guidance in the years ahead, the Head of State affirmed that everyone should demonstrate genuine patriotism in overcoming tribulations that may arise in the process of implementing the new Constitution.

Reiterating that the focus is on the implementation process, President Kibaki said that all arms of the government, public institutions and stakeholders must play their respective roles so that the country can
reap maximum benefits from the new constitutional dispensation.

The Head of State said, “As the New Year commences, I urge Members of Parliament, all public institutions and other stakeholders to play their respective roles effectively, in order for us to meet the
timelines laid out in the Fifth Schedule of our Constitution.”

Kenya's President, Mwai Kibaki

In the message the President reaffirmed the Grand Coalition Government’s commitment to the establishment of a local judicial process to seek justice for victims of the post election violence.

However, President Kibaki called for calm, tolerance and patience among Kenyans to ensure that the process of seeking justice for the victims of the post election violence does not erode the gains the country had made in the process of national healing and reconciliation.

The Head of State observed that although the Special Tribunal for Kenya Bill and the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bills were rejected by Parliament two years ago, the Grand Coalition Government
remains committed to a local judicial process and will accordingly take the necessary steps.

 “As the process of dispensing justice gets underway in the New Year, I urge Kenyans to remain calm and
demonstrate tolerance and patience,” said President Kibaki.

On the economic front, President Kibaki noted with appreciation that the year was closing on a positive note with a growth rate of 5 percent compared to 2.6 percent in the previous year.

Kibaki said Kenyans economy is projected to expand by 6 percent in the coming year. An expanding economy means more opportunities for our people”. Saying the government’s sights are set on a double-digit economic growth that creates more jobs, President Kibaki reiterated that empowerment of youth will remain a priority in the New Year.

The Government, the Head of State emphasized, will continue to strengthen the Youth Enterprise Development Fund, to enable youth access affordable credit with further expansion of the Economic
Stimulus programs targeted them.

On security, President Kibaki announced that the government plans to develop a policy and legal framework that provides for the participation of communities and private security providers in policing and therefore enhance security so that wananchi can freely engage in economic activities.

The President reassured that the ongoing reforms in the police force will be sustained to ensure the police service became professional and accountable to the people.

Touching on the regional integration, the Head of State called upon Kenyans to embrace the opportunities that come their way under the expanded East African Community and the world at large.

In his message to the nation, PM Raila Odinga said that the New Year comes with its challenges but Kenyans should enter 2011 with optimism that difficult challenges will be confronted head on victory is assured.“We end this year on a positive and optimistic note. Despite numerous challenges, we gave ourselves a new constitution after more than twenty years of a futile search,” said Raila.

Kenya's Prime Minister, Raila Odinga

The Premier said work has kicked off on creating the institutions to implement the new constitution. If the last two decades were spent on searching for a new Constitution, 2011 must be dedicated to implementing it.

Raila prioritized implementation of the New Constitution as the only task we must confront successfully in the New Year. “Our new constitution has provisions that will certainly uplift our citizens and our nation and deliver the new Kenya that our national anthem envisaged, if implemented in the letter and spirit in which Kenyans voted for it. We will do all it takes to ensure it is done,” said the Premier.

The Prime Minister said that Kenya as a nation is on a journey and he believes all Kenyans abroad and within know their destination. I am confident that we shall reach our destiny if all Kenyans play their
part,” ended the Premier.


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