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"speaker_name": "Mr. Tuju",
"speaker_title": "The Minister for Foreign Affairs",
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"legal_name": "Raphael Tuju",
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"content": " Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that Mr. Speaker do now leave the Chair. It is my pleasant duty and honour to present to this honourable House the Recurrent and Development Estimates of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the Financial Year 2007/2008. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, may I start by noting that in my remarks, I do not have the districts Estimates, as normally circulated to hon. Members, because as a Ministry, we do not allocate money on a district basis as hon. Members may have been used to receiving from other Ministries. The Estimates, therefore, are as presented in the Votes. For the Recurrent Expenditure, the amount requested is Kshs6,088,759,420 and for the Development Expenditure, the amount requested is Kshs1.1 billion. I am deeply appreciative of the fact that over the years, hon. Members have been very supportive of my Ministry's efforts to broaden and deepen Kenya's relation with the international community for the benefit of Kenyans. I know that I can count on your continued support as we strive to continue to accelerate and consolidate our economic diplomacy at bi-lateral and regional level for the much needed rapid economic growth. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I note that the theme for this year's national Budget is \"Vision 2030 - working together on the path to prosperity\". The vision of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, therefore, is to be an effective tool for achieving the national Vision 2030 and transforming national development, which builds on the immensely successful Economic Recovery Programme. The Ministry will continue to spearhead Kenya's engagements with the rest of the world in the implementation of this Vision. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, my Ministry is Kenya's face to the rest of the world. Since its establishment 40 years ago, it has co-ordinated, led and managed Kenya's foreign relations in pursuit of our national interest. Earlier this year, at the direction of His Excellency President Mwai Kibaki, I announced a paradigm shift in Kenya's foreign policy from pure political to a stronger and sharper focus on economic diplomacy. With the visionary leadership of His Excellency the President, as Kenya's top diplomat, the Ministry will build on past successes and enhance Kenya's diplomatic and political profile in the region and among the wider community of nations. As we embark with renewed vigour on economic diplomacy at all levels of our foreign and international engagements, we shall continue to systematically review the diplomatic activities to focus on priority areas of national development. In this regard, Kenya is forging closer co-operation with emerging markets in Asia, Eastern Europe, Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean. Further, the Government recognises the need to maintain links with our traditional bi-lateral and multi-lateral partners. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I acknowledge that in the current global dispensation, we no longer have the monopoly of shaping the country's foreign policy alone. The media, Non- Governmental Organizations (NGOs), academics, civil society and public relations firms among others, are really playing an important role in shaping and articulating the country's interests abroad. To this end, Vision 2030 will provide the basis for the Ministry's articulation and enhancement of the national economic policy globally. To achieve this goal, the Ministry requires substantial financial resources. About 70 per cent of the Ministry's expenditure goes to financing missions abroad. This means that missions are key to articulating and implementing Government policies, both at the domestic and international level. The expenditure incurred is mainly Recurrent, with the bulk of it incurred on payment of foreign service allowances, rent expenditure and maintenance cost of Government-owned property abroad. Following the Cabinet's directive that the Ministry should take measures to achieve efficiency in the utilization of allocated funds, a taskforce to rationalise the Ministry and streamline August 28, 2007 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 3479 the operations of missions abroad, was set up and it has completed that task. The recommendations of the taskforce will be implemented in this financial year, to ensure prudent management of public resources. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, allocations on the Ministry's Development Vote has, over the years, been inadequate for the Ministry to implement its planned activities more effectively. In the past, funding of Development Expenditure was mostly financed by sale of idle assets. However, with the shift in policy from renting property to acquisition, substantial savings will be realised in the long-run, which will enable the Ministry to effectively articulate its core mandate. The recommendations by the taskforce on management of properties and other assets owned by the Government abroad, will be implemented as part of the on-going restructuring of the Ministry's operations at the headquarters and missions abroad. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, Kenya's Foreign Policy is a tool that our country employs to attain, protect, advance and promote its national values and interests at the regional, continental and international arenas. Primarily, Kenya's foreign policy seeks to align the country's diplomacy with its domestic policy. Economic diplomacy has taken centre stage in Kenya's foreign policy, which stresses the establishment of diplomatic presence abroad on the basis of their strategic and economic viability. Kenya has also strengthened its relations with China. The volume of our bi- lateral trade with China has reached a record high of US$480 million in the year 2005. There are now over 20 Chinese companies doing business in the country. Simultaneously, Kenya has explored new networks with emerging economic hubs in Western and Eastern Europe. For instance, the Republic of Ireland is now one of the fastest growing economies in Europe, while Spain has emerged as a leading source of tourist inflows into Kenya. In the last Financial Year 2006/2007, new missions were opened in Bangkok, Brasilia, Seoul, Dublin, Madrid and Kuwait because of the emerging strategic interests in these regions. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the mandate of my Ministry has been expanded to include the international jobs and diaspora office, in line with the emphasis and focus on economic diplomacy. The objective is to ensure that Kenyans secure jobs in international organizations and agencies, as well as other multinational and private organizations. We have developed a database of curriculum vitaes and available jobs, and we are now encouraging Kenyans to apply. By focusing on the diaspora, our aim is to facilitate improvement in the delivery of consular services, developing re- integration programmes, encouraging investment in Kenya as well as the development of diaspora's specific products and increase in remittances. The Ministry, thus, requires resources to tap into the diaspora in order to create more wealth for the nation. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for issues relating to all international organizations and co-ordination of multi-lateral issues. It deals with a multitude of Kenya's national interests and priorities articulated at international fora. This is particularly in the case of the United Nations systems, its organs, the General Assembly, the Economic, Social and Security Councils. It is the responsibility of the Ministry to ensure that Kenya maximises on opportunities offered by different international organizations in economic and social fields. It, therefore, acts as the main liaison between the international organisations and functional Ministries and departments. There are a number of international organizations, most of them specialised agencies of the United Nations, for example, the World Health Organization (WHO), for which we liaise with the Ministry of Health; the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), for which we liaise with the Ministry of Agriculture; the World Meteorological Organization, for which we liaise with the Ministry of Transport and the Department of Meteorology. Others are United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in Paris, United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), International Education Exchange Association (IEEA) in Vienna, United 3480 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES August 28, 2007 Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), Intellectual Property Owners (IPO) and Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva. Our role, as a Ministry, is to seek to strengthen Kenya's bargaining position in all these organizations and other international bodies, by working closely with other developing countries, especially within the African group, Non-aligned Movement (NAM), G77 and China. Our mandate also involves liaison with NGOs, mostly international ones like the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which undertakes a lot of projects in the region and, indeed, in this country. The location of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) and UN-Habitat in Nairobi is probably the single most important achievement in Kenya's multi-lateral engagement. It is the only United Nations office in developing countries. Another achievement has been the upgrading of the office to a fully-fledge United Nations Office in Nairobi, fourth in line after the UN offices in New York, Geneva and Vienna. We, therefore, work closely with what is referred to as the multi-lateral missions. Those are permanent missions in New York, Geneva, Vienna, Rome and two UN offices in Nairobi, UN-Habitat and UNEP. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, Kenya continues to play a key role in conflict resolution and peace initiatives in the region. Kenya played a key role towards the establishment of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia in 2004, and the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in the Sudan on 9th January, 2005, marking the end of the longest running conflict in Africa. This was aimed at stemming the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, influx of refugees and the spread of Islamic fundamentalism. A stable Somalia will eventually open trade and investment opportunities to both countries in the long run. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, during the last Financial Year, 2006/2007, the Ministry was able to facilitate State visits abroad, which led to the signing of bilateral agreements between the Government and some friendly countries such as China and Saudi Arabia. As a result of those agreements, for example, the Government of the Republic of China is financing the rehabilitation of Nairobi roads on a design and build arrangement at a cost of Kshs2 billion. Five roundabouts on Uhuru Highway will be replaced with over-passes and extra lanes from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to UNEP Headquarters through the Museum Hill roundabout. The Government also secured funding from the Saudi Arabian Government for the establishment of a university at the Coast, the construction of a 20 kilometre Garissa-Nuno- Madogashe-Wajir Road at a cost of Kshs750 million, rehabilitation of the Wajir District Hospital, the construction and rehabilitation of the Burns Unit and Paediatric Emergency Unit at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and Ongata Rongai Water and Sanitation Project. All those projects are valued at an estimated cost of Kshs6 billion. Those development projects are as a result of the diplomatic efforts by my Ministry towards the realisation of goals stipulated in Vision 2030. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, it is now my honour and privilege to present the Recurrent and Development Estimates of my Ministry for the Financial Year 2007/2008. I now wish to elaborate the activities for which I seek an approval from the House to spend a sum of Kshs6,088,759,420 for the Recurrent Vote and Kshs1,100,000,000 for the Development Vote. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, funds under the Recurrent Estimates are categorised under three Sub-Votes as follows:- (i) Sub-Vote 040 - General Administration and Planning. The net expenditure is Kshs1,675,333,201. The Ministry requires the Kshs1,675,333,201 to cater for personnel emoluments, expenses incurred on official State visits abroad, computerization and networking of the Ministry Headquarters and missions abroad, establishment of a Foreign Service Institute and other operational and maintenance expenses at the Ministry Headquarters. August 28, 2007 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 3481 (ii) Sub-Vote 041 - Diplomatic Representation. The net expenditure is Kshs4,077,926,219. The Ministry's core activity is articulation and projection of Kenya's image abroad. In that respect, a substantial portion of the budget goes to financing our missions abroad. In the recent past, there has been a modest expansion in pursuit of this noble national objective. The paradigm shift now focuses on economic diplomacy, with clear emphasis to emerging markets in Asia, Middle East and Latin America. Those are currently some of the fastest growing economies in the world and, therefore, it is imperative for our country to share the benefits of the new global phenomenon by establishing economic and trade ties with them. It is for this reason that we recently opened new missions in those regions. The Ministry opened new missions in Seoul, Bangkok, Brasilia, Madrid, Dublin and Kuwait, to take care of Kenya's interests in those countries. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Ministry requires resources to pay foreign service officers working in those missions, and for the running of the missions. Maintenance of Government properties in missions abroad has always been inadequate. Therefore, resources have to be put into refurbishment and maintenance of Government owned properties, which is a costly affair because of the vagaries of the weather, especially in winter-prone countries. Unfortunately, for many years, those properties have not been attended to. Therefore, that has resulted in higher costs of maintenance and refurbishment. The Ministry, thus, requires an amount of Kshs4,077,926,219 under this Sub-Vote. (iii) Sub-Vote 042 - International Organizations. The gross expenditure for this Sub-Vote is Kshs335,500,000. Economic recovery is the main objective of the Government and this influences the Ministry's activities. The phenomenon of globalisation and increased inter-dependence of nations has led to the emergence of regional economic blocs. The size of our economies has made it imperative for our countries to integrate as a way of attracting foreign direct investments and enhancing our competitiveness. Kenya has seized the opportunity to integrate, through existing economic blocs. This has enhanced the opportunity of new and increased share of existing markets. Kenya is a member of various economic bodies such as the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Co-operation (IORARC), Common Markets for East and Southern Africa (COMESA), East Africa Community (EAC), New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) and the Commonwealth. As a member, payment of contributions to those organizations remains paramount to us, as a nation. The Ministry, thus, needs Kshs335,500,000 under this Sub-Vote for payment of membership fees, dues and subscriptions to those international organisations, especially the AU, UN, the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Commonwealth Foundation. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, on the Development Budget - Vote D04 - the gross development estimates for expenditure is Kshs1,100,000,000. Under this, there is Sub-Vote 040 - General Administration and Planning, with a net estimated expenditure of Kshs20 million. The Ministry requires Kshs20 million for Development Expenditure at the headquarters. That money will be used for refurbishment and partitioning of offices to accommodate the new staff recently recruited, re-carpeting and redesigning of the parking area and the completion of the installation of new lifts. Under the Development Expenditure, there is Sub-Vote 041 which is on Diplomatic Representation. Its expenditure is estimated at Kshs1,080,000,000. Allocations on our Development Vote have, over the years, been inadequate for the Ministry to implement its activities more effectively. Missions abroad spend substantial amounts of the allocations on rent and leases. The Ministry has, thus, began implementing a policy of property ownership with the objective of realising savings on leases and rentals in the long run. The Ministry plans to acquire additional properties in the following countries on priority basis. In Brussels, the Ministry plans to acquire a chancery at a total cost of Kshs450 million. This is in line with the Ministry's policy shift from renting property to acquisition. Last year, the 3482 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES August 28, 2007 Ministry acquired a chancery and an ambassador's residence in China for Kshs515 million, saving the Government an annual rent of Kshs12.6 million. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, let me turn to Kampala. Uganda is Kenya's largest trading partner in the whole world, with an export volume amounting to Kshs43 billion, per year. In the spirit of fast-tracking the integration process, it is, therefore, necessary to strengthen our presence with our biggest trading partner country by owning our own properties in Kampala. The Ministry, therefore, requires Kshs50 million to purchase the High Commissioner's residence. This will save the Government Kshs3 million in annual rent paid for the High Commissioner's residence. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, ongoing and new construction projects that the Ministry intends to implement in the current financial year include Dar-es-Salaam. The Ministry is currently constructing a chancery and a High Commissioner's residence in Tanzania. The project is estimated to cost Kshs275 million upon completion. The Ministry was provided with Kshs190 million in the last financial year. However, the Ministry requires an additional Kshs85 million to complete the project. The Ministry intends to construct a chancery and an Ambassador's residence in Abuja, the new capital city of Nigeria, after relocating from Lagos. The Ministry, therefore, requires Kshs200 million in the current financial year and the balance of Kshs200 million in the next financial year. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, in Islamabad, the Ministry intends to construct a chancery and a High Commissioner's residence at a cost of Kshs421 million. The Ministry, therefore, requires Kshs150 million in the current financial year with a remainder in the next two financial years, 2008/2009 and 2009/2010. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I may add here that in a lot of these areas where we have to construct chanceries and so forth, some of those countries, in some cases, allocated the land for construction of those chanceries some 10 or 15 years ago. If we do not take advantage of those lands, we stand to lose the property. As the Ministry expands its presence globally, and at the same time ensures to maintain the good image of our country, it is imperative that the Government owned properties abroad are well maintained. To this end, the Ministry is requesting for Kshs145 million to refurbish Government owned properties in the following missions: New York, Kshs10 million; Washington, Kshs10 million; Kinshasa, Kshs10 million; Lusaka, Kshs10 million; Paris, Kshs5 million; Stockholm Kshs10 million; Riyadh Kshs10 million; Brussels, Kshs5 million; and, Rome Kshs5 million. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, with regard to Rome, I remember recently, the house was almost being condemned because it was a fire risk and we had to move our Ambassador from the residence for some emergency work to be done. The Hague, Kshs10 million; Pretoria, Kshs10 million; and, Windhoek, 50 million. The total is Ksh145 million. In conclusion, for the Fiscal Year 2007/2008, I am requesting the House to approve the Ministerial expenditure of Kshs7,188,759,420 comprising of Kshs6,088,759,420 for the Recurrent Expenditure Vote and Kshs1,100,000,000 for the Development Vote. In addition, the House is also being requested to approve collection and utilisation of Appropriations-in-Aid amounting to Kshs1,109,750,000 under the Recurrent Vote. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I now beg to move. I kindly request hon. Munya to second the Vote. Thank you."
}