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P 210653Z APR 08
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 NAIROBI 001045
SIPDIS
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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM KE
SUBJECT: TEXT OF PRESIDENT KIBAKI'S SPEECH ON SWEARING IN
GRAND COALITION GOVERNMENT
1. President Mwai Kibaki delivered an address on the
swearing in of the new grand coalition cabinet on April 17.
The message stressed reconciliation and unity. The text of
the speech follows.
2. Begin Text.
Your Excellency Yoweri Museveni, President of the Republic
of Uganda, Your Excellency Dr. Kofi Annan, Chairperson of
the Mediation Team, Excellencies, Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today's ceremony is a tribute to the people of Kenya, and
to all of our leaders, who have had to make difficult and
uncomfortable decisions, for the good of Kenya. I
congratulate all those who are being sworn in at this
ceremony, I sincerely thank my colleague President Yoweri
Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda and His
Excellency Kofi Annan for finding time to join us today on
this important occasion.
I sincerely thank my brother Presidents from the East
African Community who have sent their representatives to be
with us today. We say Karibu. We sincerely appreciate the
support we have received from the African Union, our
neighbouring countries, the mediating team and other
friendly countries and well wishers.
Today's swearing in marks a major milestone in the
political history in this country. The recent general
elections seriously divided our people along regional and
ethnic lines. The formation of the Grand Coalition
Government promises to heal the rifts created by politics
of incitement and ethnic suspicions which threatened to
tear our nation apart.
Our people are now in the process of reconciliation. We
have resolved as a nation that we belong together. We
have agreed as political parties that our people want
peace, unity, more opportunities for employment and a
higher quality of life. These cannot be realized in a
nation that is divided or torn apart along tribal lines.
In forming the Grand Coalition Government, we have all
recognized and accepted that individual interests must not
override the greater good of our nation, nor can personal
views or opinions be allowed to undermine the aspirations
of the people. I therefore, want to commend the Right
Honourable Raila Odinga for the initiatives we have taken
so far that have enabled us to form a Grand Coalition
Cabinet. I also thank the entire political leadership,
that is, the Vice-President, ministers, assistant
ministers, members of parliament and councilors as well as
religious and trade union leaders for fully supporting
these initiatives.
I am aware that the challenges ahead are many and
difficult. However, we have succeeded in laying a strong
foundation. What remains is for each on of us to build on
this foundation in the spirit of collective responsibility,
good faith, mutual trust and confidence. Let us,
therefore, cultivate a culture of continuous consultation.
It is only by working as a team that we, the political
leaders, will be able to inspire the public servants who
work under us to achieve the extraordinary performance
levels that must be attained.
This is essential if we are to meet the high expectations
of the Kenyan people in terms of political, economic and
social change.
As a minister and assistant minister, you will be expected
to show results and excel in your portfolio. Kenyans will
be monitoring your performance and will be judging you by
the quality, timeliness and the services that your ministry
provides, I, therefore encourage you to closely monitor
and oversee the activities of your ministry in order to
ensure that Wanachi (note: citizens) receive the benefits
they expect and in particular, they are not frustrated by
and inefficient officials.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
NAIROBI 00001045 002 OF 003
The first task of the expanded Government is to deal with
the resettlement of displaced Kenyans now living in camps
as refugees or being hosted by well wishers. It is
unacceptable that a Kenyan should be prevented from
accessing his or her property by another. We have a
beautiful country and every Kenyan has a right to legally
live, work, conduct business or own property anywhere in
the country.
The Government is accelerating the resettlement program and
is setting up the necessary security infrastructure to
ensure that the people returning to their farms. We are
also assisting displaced people to resume normal lives by
providing ploughing services, seeds and fertilizers free of
charge.
My appeal to all the leaders in the Grand Coalition
Government is to take the message of reconciliation and
peace to the grassroots. We can and must bring the cycle
of violence to and end. On its part, the Government will
draw up a policy for Inter-Ethnic Relations, table a bill
in Parliament for the establishment of an Inter-Ethnic
Relations Commission and pass laws prohibiting hate speech
and crimes. We are in the process of establishing a Truth,
Justice and Reconciliation Committee which will go a long
way in providing opportunity to national healing and
reconciliation.
Further, as a Grand Coalition Government, we are now well
placed to conclude the long outstanding issues of
constitutional review. Kenyans want and deserve a new
constitutional review. Kenyans want and deserve a new
constitutional dispensation, and as a Grand Coalition, we
have committed ourselves to deliver on this promise within
a year. The Coalition is better placed to galvanize
consensus on the few contentious issues that have been
outstanding.
Another area of priority is to turn around the economy that
has slowed down over the last three months. We are
currently experiencing a sharp increase in the price of
food and other basic commodities. In addition, the cost of
transportation has increased considerably thus increasing
the burden of the majority of our urban workers. It is
essential that we reverse this trend to improve the lives
of Wanachi.
Above all, Kenya's economy is very much intertwined with
the economies of our neighbouring countries, and therefore,
any disruption on inefficiencies in our economy has a
negative impact on the economies of our neighbours and vice
versa. It is very important, therefore, that we work
together with our brothers and sisters in the region to
promote regional co-operation and development.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
As at the Grand Coalition Government, we must ensure that
our next policies and the manner in which they are
implemented over the next five years result in half of all
the people who are now living in absolute poverty being
freed from this state. If we achieve this goal, the Grand
Coalition will have served its true purpose which is to
unite all of Kenya's leaders in a joint and effective war
against poverty, ignorance and disease while creating a
just and democratic society.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
In conclusion, I ask all Kenyans to pledge themselves to
achieving national reconciliation and healing, and living
together in tolerance and harmony. I urge all leaders,
starting with those in Government to be ambassadors of
peace, justice and reconciliation in every part of the
country.
I urge all of us to consider today as a fresh start for our
country towards lasting peace, prosperity and equitable
development. Let us join hands as a nation, with everyone
doing their bit, to build a mew Kenya, one in which every
NAIROBI 00001045 003 OF 003
man, woman and child has the opportunity, and access to
live a long and fulfilled life.
Once again, I congratulate you on your appointment and wish
you the best in the service of our country.
THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
End text.
RANNEBERGER