1. Celebrating 50 Golden years of Kenya :
Message from the President
Celebrating 50 Golden years of Kenya :
Message from the President
The Jamhuri day celebrations this year is very special to each and every one of
us as it marks 50 years of Independence! The extravaganza celebrations were
attended by dignitaries from various sectors at Kasarani Sports Center in
Nairobi. We bring forward to you the speech presented by our Honorable President
Uhuru Kenyatta.
Your Excellencies, Heads of State and Government, Friends of Kenya, Fellow
Kenyans, Ladies and Gentlemen,
You are all aware, last week on Thursday the former President of South Africa,
Hon. Nelson Mandela,passed away.There is no doubt the late Mandela will remain,
even in his death, an inspiration to all people of the World who care about
humanity and freedom. In this regard, it is befitting, before I proceed any
further with my remarks,we all observe a minute of silence to honour this truly
African icon.We pray our Mighty God rests Mandela’s soul, in everlasting peace.
As we celebrate this defining moment in our history, let us also remember all
those pan-Africanists whose sacrifice and unity of purpose saw the liberation of
our continent. Together with our founding president, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, Kwame
2. Nkrumah of Ghana, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere of Tanzania, Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia,
Algeria’s founding President, Ahmed Ben Bella and of course Nelson Mandela,
these were visionaries who saw a united Africa as the foundation of a truly
prosperous continent. We are proud of these great sons of Africa, and
acknowledge their sacrificial role, which continues to shape our continent.
Ladies, and Gentlemen,
We as Kenyans are proud that our freedom struggle provided inspiration to Nelson
Mandela, one of history’s greatest leaders. His life and monumental
accomplishments testify to the necessity to fight for freedom. Indeed, we have
been privileged to live during his time and learn so much from him.
Excellencies, Ladies, and Gentlemen,
Today marks a historic, momentous and glorious day for our country, Kenya.
It is with joy and pride that we celebrate 50 years of independence. Fifty years
ago, on December 12, 1963 a new and hopeful nation, Kenya, was born with
unlimited potential. We were now a free and sovereign people, and we began the
journey of determining our own political, economic, and social destiny.
Our struggle for independence, which had gone on for many years, had finally
borne fruit. But this independence did not come cheap. It was won by the brave,
selfless, and visionary men and women who were willing to sacrifice even their
own lives for the love of their country. And, indeed, thousands paid the
ultimate price in the course of the struggle. This, they did, to guarantee that
their children and children’s children would be free, living with dignity.
The freedom we enjoy today was earned by the blood of patriots and their
sacrifices must never be in vain. As we recognize the important role that they
played in our nation’s history, we must remember that the greatest honour that
we can give them is to live by the high ideals that they envisioned for Kenya.
Their passionate dreams for an equitable, free and just Kenya must be our
driving force today and in the years to come.
Most importantly, the unity exhibited by the freedom fighters, regardless of
their race, tribe, religion, or class should motivate our efforts to build a
united, prosperous nation, devoid of ethnic or parochial divisions. We must
remain, united as Kenyans, and, I underscore, it is not a matter of choice.
Excellencies, Ladies, and Gentlemen,
At independence our founding president, identified three enemies that we were to
fight from then on. These were poverty, ignorance, and disease.Over the last 50
years, we have made great strides in overcoming these problems. Fifty years ago,
our economy was basically one producing primary commodities that were more meant
3. to provide raw materials for our coloniser’s industries.
Today, the economic landscape is significantly different. There are thousands of
successful local entrepreneurs who are engaged in a myriad of business
activities that produce goods and services for domestic consumption as well as
for export. Our Securities Exchange is thriving and is one of the leading
bourses on the continent. We have a strong middle class that is growing by the
day.
The service sector, especially ICT, has grown in leaps and bounds, driven by
home-grown innovations and is now providing livelihood to millions of our people.
Kenya is now a regional financial hub and numerous multinational companies have
set up regional and continental offices in Nairobi. Most importantly, our
agricultural sector, which is the backbone of our economy, has become
increasingly modernized. Indeed, it is a source of income for our farmers.
We also have an enviable infrastructure network that facilitates trade across
the country as well as the region. To increase our stock of infrastructure, I
recently launched the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway and the new
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Greenfields Terminal. These projects will
greatly enhance our competitiveness asKenya and, indeed, for the Eastern Africa
region as a whole.
They will also provide opportunities for employment of our youth, during
construction and after completion.To further deepen our infrastructure
development, my Government,in collaboration with our neighbours, has committed
to undertake the Lamu Port, South Sudan, and Ethiopia Transit(LAPSSET) project,
which will open a second major corridor of development in this region.
Ladies, and Gentlemen,
Fifty years ago, millions of our people were illiterate and unschooled.
Today, over 90 percent of Kenyans are educated. We have a forward-looking,
versatile and ambitious people able to support every industry in the modern
economy. Today, Kenya boasts 22 public universities, dozens of private
universities, thousands of colleges and institutes. The array of professions
being developed is amazing. We are in the forefront in industrial and ICT
training, not to mention traditional professions. As I speak, this month alone,
some ten thousand Kenyans graduated from universities.
Fifty years ago, healthcare was inaccessible to most of our people. Health
facilities were few, far between and thousands of our people died from treatable
medical conditions. Today, the situation is remarkably different. Not only do we
have thousands of health workers, but also services are much closer to the
people as health facilities are now spread across all parts of the country. We
4. have also achieved notable success in the areas of child and maternal health.
Fifty years ago electric lighting was only associated largely with the cities of
Nairobi and Mombasa. Today we have, through a comprehensive rural
electrification public investment programme, taken electric power to most parts
of the country that were in the past viewed as remote. This is transforming our
rural set-ups and empowering them.
Excellencies, Ladies, and Gentlemen,
As we commemorate this historic Jamhuri Day, I call three things to your
attention. First of all, I appeal to you to reflect on the sacrifices of our
freedom fighters. At a dark time, these heroes and heroines – peasants, menial
labourers, clerks, traders, the youth and other ordinary people – chose, at an
enormous personal cost, to take the just path for their nation.
Secondly, let us consider the cost of freedom. Although human rights are
fundamental and inalienable, they still need to be protected and defended.
Let us all reflect on the value of our freedom and sovereignty, and commit
ourselves to always defend them.
Thirdly, I invite you to consider more deeply the responsibilities that come
with freedom. Freedom is meaningful when citizens shoulder their obligations to
one another and diligently discharge them. What are these obligations? To treat
each other with respect, no matter our cultural differences.
To work hard and honestly; To refrain from corruption; To speak our truth; To
represent ourselves and each other fairly; To educate ourselves and each other;
To help people lift themselves out of poverty and disease; To work to develop
our country in an equitable fashion; To respect laws and abide by them; And to
do these things consistently.
Excellencies, Ladies, and Gentlemen,
While we have made significant strides as a Nation, let’s face the reality. We
are yet to reach the Promised Land. Over the last five decades, we have missed
opportunities to be the best of the best in the world, with excellent economic
plans and resources exported to build other nations. Our infrastructure has not
been sufficient to meet our development needs.
Our social and political environment has been susceptible to manipulation and
practices that have made it difficult to reduce inequality in a meaningful
manner. This, in turn, led to disenchantment, insecurity and suffering. In
addition, our competing ethnic and political interests connived to override the
national interest, with serious repercussions.
This, tragically, has on occasion led to violence and loss of life and property.
5. But in 2010, we as a nation chose to renew the faith with our founding fathers.
In 2010, we gave ourselves a Constitution that affirms the sovereignty of the
people of Kenya, and puts our destiny in our hands. The charter instituted
equality and devolution. We agreed on how we shall bake and share the national
cake.
Excellencies, Ladies, and Gentlemen,
The challenges we face will be overcome more significantly when devolution
effectively works and the counties play their intended role in our development
efforts. The counties are the new centres of growth, resources mobilization and
utilization. The 47 counties must catalytically revamp our development as they
embrace a strait of healthy competition in their development initiatives.
I am very impressed by some of the initiatives taken by county governments to
attract investors and mobilize local investment in their counties. I encourage
every Kenyan to take a key interest and invest in their home county. We should
put money into trade and investment activities in the respective rural
communities. This will ensure that our young people have meaningful work to do
and thus have no energy left to engage in undesirable social activities. Men and
womenwho have excelled in various fields should regularly visit their rural
communities and engage with primary and secondary school students and serve as
role models as well as mentors for our young people.
Excellencies, Ladies, and Gentlemen,
In the recent past, coal, oil and other mineral resources with commercial
viability have been discovered in different parts of our country. This is an
opportunity for Kenya to lift itself to the next level of development through
the exploitation of these resources. The Government is working on policies to
guide the exploitation of these minerals and help us avoid the pitfalls of other
mineral rich countries where they have caused serious environmental degradation,
conflict and social decay. The National Government will collaborate with County
Governments where the minerals have been discovered to ensure that the benefits
accruing from such minerals also reach the local population. We have, in this
regard, developed a framework covering the mining, processing and sale of the
minerals. And we are committed to strictly abiding with that framework.
I, however, wish to warn those inciting local population to violence in areas
where these minerals have been discovered that the full force of the law will be
used against them. Legitimate concerns and grievances should be resolved through
peaceful means. Violence and chaos will not benefit anybody. Violence will only
undermine the full exploitation of those resources and therefore delay the
developmental benefits that we all should enjoy.
6. Excellencies, Ladies, and Gentlemen,
The world over, it has been proved that national unity is critical to the socioeconomic advancement of any society. National unity is one of my most passionate
goals. I pledge to you today, fellow countrymen and women, that national unity
and integration will be priority Number One of my Administration. We must all be
ready to fight against negative ethnicity.
For too long our people have suffered from this disease but now it is time to
say we are tired and we must eliminate it.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Ienvision a Kenya where we will all be proud of our diverse heritage and
cultures but where we unite around our common aspirations as Kenyans, as
enshrined in the Constitution.We have to accept Kenya is our motherland; the
land where Kenyans of all nationalities and of all religious faith can live
together as brothers and sisters.
As we indicated in our Manifesto, the Jubilee Government believes in one Kenya;
a Kenya where every citizen, whoever they are and wherever they live will have
the opportunity to succeed and prosper, free of discrimination. Our shared aim
is to end meaningless ethnic tensions and rivalry and to unite all our citizens.
I am determined to provide leadership towards the attainment of this noble
objective.
A united Kenya has tremendous potential for growth and development.
Indeed, Kenya is not a collection of 42 tribes who have to live together.
Kenya is one nation, assembled by divine providence and held together for the
last 50 years by our common will and belief in a collective brighter future for
our children, our future generations, and ourselves.
Excellencies, Ladies, and Gentlemen,
Africa has always stood by Kenya as we seek integration and growth, and we, in
return, will always stand by Africa – which, is now at the centre of our
economic policy. As I stated at my inauguration earlier this year and, and again
when I addressed the African Union in my maiden speech, Kenya’s national
interest is anchored on regional and continental integration.
This year, the African Union, like Kenya, is celebrating its 50thAnniversary. In
1963, when our pioneers established the OAU, their vision was to realise
political, social and economic integration as a means of achieving prosperity,
peace and growth. Considerable progress has been made towards regional and
continental integration, but a lot still remains to be done.
7. In Eastern Africa, the EAC Partner States have committed to a customs union;
achieving a monetary union; and eventually, our aim is to achieve a political
federation. Concurrently the EAC in partnership with the Common Market for
Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the Southern Africa Development
Community (SADC) are negotiating a Tripartite Free Trade Area.
The high growth rate that Africa has attained was spurred by prudent macroeconomic policies adopted by a large number of African states, the relative
peace and security that prevails on most of the continent, the regional
integration that engenders growing intra-African trade and buoyant commodity
prices.
In order to sustain and enhance this momentum, it is absolutely necessary to
accelerate the implementation of the continental integration agenda especially
as relates to infrastructure development, food security, and the free movement
of people, goods and services. To further deepen our commitments to the
continent, today I announce five initiatives on our regional and continental
agenda.
First, Kenya will contribute to a brigade to be part of the Rapid Response
mechanism as part of the Africa Peace and Security Architecture agreed during
the last Assembly of AU Heads of State and Government.
Second, Kenya will champion – with our African brothers and sisters – the free
movement of persons on the continent. Today, we announce that any African
passport will obtain a visa on arrival in Kenya based on a principle of
reciprocity. Under these arrangements, any African visitor may stay for up to 6
months. The only exception to this rule will be when regional security could be
compromised.
Third, to sustain and enhance the momentum, we in Africa have experienced in the
past decade, deeper investment in intra-African trade. In this regard, Kenya is
ready to partner with our sisterly countries in the southern, central, western
and northern regions, to fast-track the implementation of the recently adopted
Continental Free Trade Area. Kenya has also offered to provide technical support
to the process.
Fourth, Kenya is ready to champion the fast tracking of the implementation of
the African Infrastructure Programme within the Eastern Africa region.
Fifth, Kenya offers to work with fellow African countries to steer the
implementation of an integrated air transport and African open skies policy in
line with the Yamoussoukro decision. We believe these measures are important to
add impetus to Africa’s growth efforts, and show our deep commitment to our
continent.
8. Let me also acknowledge that day by day, Africa is taking greater responsibility
for security on the continent. Africa’s peacebuilding efforts in the Sudan, and
the Democratic Republic of the Congo, are testimony to a new approach that will
serve our continent well.
Excellencies, Ladies, and Gentlemen,
As Africa grows, so Kenya grows. We are taking radical steps to help our country
grow faster. My Government is committed to pursuing a new brand of politics. We
are committed to fostering an open, tolerant and hardworking Kenya with modern
institutions and adhering to good governance. To do this, all leaders must be
ready to be held accountable for their actions.
It is the responsibility of Kenyans to scrutinize their leaders and question
their performance and character.
My Government in collaboration with Kenyans will get tough with those who use
their positions of power to acquire ill-gotten wealth. Therefore, the now fully
constituted Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission must utilize its
constitutionally given mandate to investigate and bring to book all those
involved in corruption. In the meantime, I urge all Kenyans of goodwill not to
give any bribes or otherwise participate in corrupt activities.
Ladies, and Gentlemen,
In building our nation and taking it to the level of development where we are
today,I cannot forget to appreciate the support we have gotten from our
development partners.
We are particularly grateful for the support that has gone into building our
infrastructure that is critical in enhancing the competitiveness of our economy.
We do believe we have more to cooperate with our international friends for the
betterment not of Kenya alone but the world as a whole.
However, we have a message for them. It is important to recognise that Africa
has come of age. Africa seeks constructive partnership.
We will embrace partnerships based on mutual respect and win-win scenarios. We
will not accept partnerships that do not recognize we also have the intellectual
capacity to engage on equal terms. Africa has a voice. Fifty years after
independence, Africa demands that its voice must be heard.
In conclusion, I believe that Kenya is on the verge of becoming a middle income
country with high standards of living as laid out in our Vision 2030.To achieve
this desired objective, it is critical that political, religious and business
leaders exercise responsible leadership and for all of us to respect the rule of
law and work hard for the benefit of our country.
9. I want to give an equivocal commitment to the protection of lives and property
of Kenyans;to the economic prosperity for all of us; to inclusivity and
equitable growth that leaves no one behind; and to total adherence to the rule
of law.
And you on your part as Kenyans, I expect you to remain united and to adhere to
good governance as the key pillars on which to build a stronger prosperous and
equitable Kenya. The culture of ‘mali ya uma lazima iishe kutoka sasa’.
Our forefathers succeeded in the struggle for our freedom because they were
united and above all they were men and women of integrity.
They believed in sharing equally even one grain of maize, if that is all that
was available.
Therefore, as we celebrate 50 years of independence, let each of us make a
personal commitment to a just, cohesive, and caring nation.
This is what our forefathers fought for. This is what we owe them. This is what
we owe the future generations and ourselves.
Excellencies, Ladies, and Gentlemen,
I Thank You; God Bless You; And God Bless Kenya.
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