New law to transform Kenya

Written By:PPS , Posted: Thu, Aug 12, 2010


President Mwai Kibaki has urged Kenyans to effectively play their individual and collective roles in building a new country under the new constitution which they overwhelmingly adopted in last week's referendum.

Saluting Kenyans for exercising their democratic right and participating in the national referendum, the President said that the coming into effect of the new constitution will renew the country's hope of achieving middle income status as outlined under Vision Twenty Thirty.

The President was speaking Thursday at Mombasa Showground during the official opening of this year's 2010 Mombasa ASK Show.

The Head of State noted with appreciation that the great support given to the new constitution by Kenyans was a clear indication of their desire to usher in a New Kenya and reaffirmed his full commitment and support as the country walked in this journey of national renewal.

Emphasizing that the new constitution is a big and bold step in transforming the country, President Kibaki observed that still much work lies ahead.

"However, I have no doubt that our country is on the verge of national renewal. Let us all play our part in building our new country, where a lot of power and resources will now be devolved to the people through the counties," President Kibaki said.

On economic development in the coastal region, the President outlined the various infrastructural developments the Government was undertaking to attract investors and improve on communication and trade with the rest of the world.

Among the programmes earmarked for implementation in the region, President Kibaki said, included the new Kenya Coastal Development Project, a joint venture between the Government and the World Bank.

The President observed that the Project, which has been negotiated between the Government and the World Bank, will lead to the release of approximately Kshs 3 billion for the region for various activities associated with fisheries and sustainable management of coastal ecosystems.

In this regard, the Head of State urged wananchi to engage with the Government through the various ministries to exploit the potential of the new programme in attainment of the millennium development goals in the region.

Lamu port

The President, at the same time, said plans were at an advanced stage for the construction of another port at Lamu, expand the Kilindini Port and introduce a Free Port facility at Dongo Kundu.

Reaffirming the Government commitment to improving infrastructure as a key pillar to economic development, President Kibaki said in the current financial year the Government has allocated Kshs 5 billion for the construction of roads in the coast region.

The President said the Government has identified important roads that were now at design stage including Voi-Mwatate-Taveta Road , Dongo-Kundu Bypass and Malindi- Mombasa-Lunga Lunga- Dar-es-Salaam.

The Head of State added that currently, several ongoing road maintenance contracts including the 56 kilometre Mariakani- Kilifi road at a cost of Kshs 2.5 billion were under implementation.

The President appealed to contractors to support the Government initiatives in improving on the infrastructure by completing the projects within the stipulated time.

On Agriculture, the President urged farmers to take advantage of the available modern technologies to increase food production for domestic consumption and surplus for export.

The Head of State stressed the importance of the coconut sub sector to the coastal region and the entire country, saying the industry has a potential of earning the country Kshs 13 billion annually.

"This would save the country a total of about Kshs 30 billion used annually to import oils for soap making, edible oils and other related products," the President said.

President Kibaki encouraged the Coconut Development Authority to continue addressing the most critical challenges in the industry including the issue of quality coconut seedlings, value addition, processing and the marketing of coconut products.

President Kibaki expressed disappointment that despite the enormous potential and unique climatic conditions capable of supporting a wide range of crop varieties and livestock species, the coastal region continued to import basic commodities that can be competitively produced locally.

Out of the irrigation potential of about 190,000 hectares in the region, the President noted that hardly 10,000 hectares is irrigated in Hola and Bura.

The Head of State said the Government was working hard to tap the irrigation potential through the new economic stimulus programme that was started last year with a view to putting under irrigation the entire 190,000 hectares in the next five years.

"We have now irrigated an additional 7,500 hectares in the last financial year and plans are in place to double this area this year," the President said.

He, therefore, directed the Ministry of Agriculture in conjunction with the Ministry of Water and Irrigation to ensure that the full irrigation potential in the region is utilized.

Sugar sub sector

On the sugar sub sector, President Kibaki said that the Government has provided a conducive environment to encourage private investor participation in the sub sector.

The President noted that a private company is already starting operations in the region and plans to establish 6,000 hectares as the nucleus estate and 6,000 hectares as an out growers' scheme.

"The company once fully operational will employ about 2,000 workers, in addition to supporting 20,000 farmers directly".

Urging the company to move fast and start producing sugar by next year, the Head of State encouraged other interested investors to take advantage of the potential in this region and establish more sugar companies.

On livestock farming, President Kibaki challenged farmers in the region to work with livestock officers so as to be assisted in upgrading their livestock breeds for increased productivity and carry out the venture as a commercial activity.

The President emphasized that since the Government restructured the livestock sub sector including the reopening of the Kenya Meat Commission, the benefits to farmers have tremendously increased.

"Last year alone, farmers in this region earned 6.2 billion shillings from beef, dairy, poultry and bee-keeping products. Despite the increased earnings, farmers in this region have not adopted improved breeds of cattle, sheep and goats to increase their productivity and incomes," said the President

With regard to the relevance of this year's ASK Show theme "Driving Agribusiness in Attaining Food Sufficiency and VISION TWENTY THIRTY", the Head of State said the Mombasa International Show provides a great opportunity for farmers, traders, processors and business people to exchange ideas, view modern technologies and establish business linkages with both the regional and International business community.

Saying that the wide range of exhibitors is testimony to the growing interest of the business community in our agricultural sector, President Kibaki encouraged the residents to take advantage of the show to learn new technologies and build lasting partnerships for increased agricultural productivity and income.