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{
    "id": 198078,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/198078/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 30,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Kibaki",
    "speaker_title": "PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS His Excellency the President",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 43,
        "legal_name": "Emilio Mwai Kibaki",
        "slug": "mwai-kibaki"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, Kenya has witnessed some and real irreversible changes since the year 2003. In the political arena, Kenyans are now enjoying their freedoms of association and expression without fear. As a people, we are now fully aware of our rights and freedoms to do whatever we want. At times, however, it is evident that we are yet to fully comprehend that real freedom and liberty also comes with responsibility of ensuring that in enjoying our rights, we do not do harm to others. We have made impressive gains in the social sector. We have seen primary school enrolment grow by over two million children because of free primary education. Similarly, secondary school enrolment has almost doubled in the last five years because of a higher transition rate and the recent introduction of free secondary education. Moreover, our country is more caring of the weak and vulnerable among us. We now have a programme that provides financial support to HIV/AIDS affected orphans which will grow from 12,500 participating households to more than 30,000 this year. Children under five, pregnant mothers and patients suffering from HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria continue to receive free treatment and drugs in all our public health facilities. In addition, our economy has consistently performed well with the growth rate rising from 0.2 per cent in the year 2002 to nearly 7 per cent last year. All sectors have performed well, with key sectors such as agriculture, transport, communications, tourism, manufacturing and trade all growing at an average rate of 5 to 10 per cent annually in the last three years. The informal sector has received policy attention with the passage of the Microfinance Act to support small and medium enterprises. We have also made progress in building of markets to enable street vendors to do their business legally and without harassment. We have, as a nation, received commendations for our achievements. These include commendations for our improved business environment from the World Bank, and for our public service reforms from the United Nations among others. Indeed, although we continue to face many challenges, we have a lot to celebrate about our country and we have created a solid foundation on which to build its future. In this respect, I am confident that we will soon overcome the setbacks we have suffered recently and our country will resume its upward path in all of development once we begin to implement our Coalition Government Programme. It is for this reason that we have put together a high level committee with five members each from both sides to harmonise and highlight priority policies and programmes proposed in the PNU, ODM and ODM-(K) manifestos into a joint policy and programme strategy. This strategy will give priority to activities that positively affect the livelihood and conditions of our poor people while promoting equitable opportunities for development throughout the country. For instance, slum-upgrading, construction of public markets and support to small- scale farmers, livestock farmers and operators of small businesses will be accorded top priority. The joint medium term strategy will build on the foundations of the successful Economic Recovery Strategy for Wealth and Employment Creation. Later this year, we expect to table a Sessional Paper on Vision 2030. The Vision represents our collective commitment as Kenyans to transform our country into a middle income economy underpinned by political stability, social justice as well as equitable economic and social transformation. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I will now briefly outline our Government's legislative and policy proposals in several key sectors. Let me begin by thanking the Ninth Parliament"
}