OMENA OUT, MBUTA NEXT

President Kibaki has lent his support to Prime Minister Raila Odinga's efforts to conserve the Mau Forest complex.
In his Jamhuri Day address, the President said the government was keen on conserving the Mau and other water catchments in Kenya.

"We have taken decisive measures to conserve the five main water towers of Mau, Cherangany, Mt Kenya, Mt Elgon and Aberdares. Our aim is to ensure that forests and water catchments are properly conserved," said President Kibaki during the celebrations at Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday.

He said that the government had employed many young Kenyans under the Trees for Jobs programme implemented in 46 districts so far in its reforestation efforts.

"To enable all Kenyans access adequate water and other environmental services, the Government is currently implementing a “Trees for Jobs” programme in 46 districts that has so far employed nearly 16,000 young people, and will have over 65 million tree seedlings available for reforestation.

"Members of the armed forces will also be expected to take part in this aggressive tree planting campaign," he said.

Mr Odinga told the crowd that he will not relent in his fight to reclaim the Mau despite "noise" from certain quarters adding that the government was moving into the next phase of evictions.

"Omena imetoka Mau lakini Mbuta bado wako. Hiyo Mbuta pia tutatoa. Waswahili wanasema siku za mwizi ni arobaini," said Mr Odinga in Kiswahili.

(The small fish are out of Mau but the big fish are still there. We will also remove the big fish. The Swahili say a thief's days are numbered.)

The PM flew back into the country Saturday morning from Copenhagen, Denmark where he was attending the climate change summit to join in the Jamhuri celebrations.

President Kibaki also restated Kenya's desire to have the United Nations Environmental Programme upgraded to a world environmental body.

"Indeed as the headquarters of the United Nations Environment Program, Kenya will continue playing a leading role in regional environmental conservation. The government will also be appealing to World leaders meeting in Copenhagen to strengthen UNEP into a World Environmental Organisation that Kenya stands ready to host."

The Mau issue has been a stern test to Mr Odinga's political ambitions with his party, the Orange Democratic Movement divided over the evictions.

A section of ODM MPs, largely from the Rift Valley, has vehemently opposed the evictions saying the resettlement of squatters from the country's largest water tower was done in an inhumane manner.

The leaders, led by Agriculture minister William Ruto, criticised the PM over his handling of the evictions saying the squatters were "camping by the roadside" and the move was against a Cabinet decision on the resettlement programme.

The harambee, which raised Sh5million, was attended by 11 Cabinet ministers, among them Deputy Prime Minister and Minster for Finance Uhuru Kenyatta. Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka sent his apologies, a personal donation of Sh100,000 and words of support.

During the occasion, several MPs hinted at a new political alliance involving the Kalenjin, Kikuyu and Kamba- the KKK alliance- that will be used as springboard for the 2012 General Election. Indeed, Tourism minister Najib Balala said that those present were the "future" of Kenya.

In his address, President Kibaki said Kenyans had waited for nearly 20 years to realise a new constitution and promised them one next year. He urged Kenyans to read the draft constitution "thoroughly and make constructive contributions that will enable us have a constitution that will stand the test of time."

He added: "As a government we are determined to give our country a new constitution next year. I and the Right Honourable Prime Minister Raila Odinga, are committed to finding consensus and common positions on matters of national importance.

"Once we are agreed on a course of action as a Government, we must put all our efforts to ensure its realization for the benefit of all Kenyans."

On corruption, President Kibaki said the government will require top officials implicated in the vice to step aside so as to facilitate independent investigations.

"We shall demand the resignation of top officials facing credible charges of corruption or abuse of office. I direct permanent secretaries and accounting officers to sanction all corrupt officers in their ministries and departments."

The President also directed various ministries to put in place measures to curb graft including electronic records and e-procurement for goods and services.

"I am also directing that lands and business registries be converted into electronic records. I direct the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Information and Communications, the Ministry of Lands, the State Law Office and the e-Government directorate to ensure that these systems are in place and fully operational in the next eighteen months," he said.

"I also urge the judiciary to ensure the establishment of an electronic court registry and electronic recording of court proceedings within the same time."

He also enumerated government's successes including the Kazi kwa Vijana progamme and its efforts to feed hungry Kenyans. He said that a cash transfer programme for senior citizens will be rolled out next month.