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{
    "id": 229727,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/229727/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 21,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Kibaki",
    "speaker_title": "His Excellency the President",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 43,
        "legal_name": "Emilio Mwai Kibaki",
        "slug": "mwai-kibaki"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, ladies and gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to welcome hon. Members to this Sixth Session of the Ninth Parliament. The recess provided an opportunity for hon. Members to spend time with their constituents and understand their needs. The laws that we have passed and enacted in the last four years form the basis on which Kenyans can realise the dream of a well-governed country that is prosperous, just and equitable. In this respect, some of the laws this House has passed during the last four years include legislation providing for anti-corruption and economic crimes, public financial management, privatization, procurement and disposal of public assets, and the public officer ethics. These have raised the level of prudent management of public resources to unprecedented heights. Parliamentary watchdog and oversight committees have been vigorous and thorough in discharging their mandates. In doing so, they have raised the level of accountability to commendable standards. On its part, the Government has pursued a policy of open and transparent conduct of public affairs. We have used the Internet in making available a substantial amount of information to the public on various matters such as the Budget, national statistics and ministerial policy blueprints. As a result, we now have a better informed public and close scrutiny by the 4 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES March 20, 2007 media and civil society. Mr. Speaker, the future of this country rests on its children who must be nurtured, educated and trained to prepare them for all the challenges of nation building. It is in recognition of the critical role of our children in the future of this country that my Government undertook to promote free primary education despite the overwhelming odds. Today, we have more than 7.6 million children in primary school compared to 6.1 million in 2002, and over 928,000 in secondary schools compared to 778,000 five years ago. Educational reforms implemented by my Government have increased primary school enrolment to over 83 per cent with the target of achieving 100 per cent enrolment by 2007; namely, this year. The transition from primary to secondary school has risen to 60 per cent this year with the target of achieving 70 per cent next year. Given the success of free primary education, the Government will be focusing more attention on secondary school education which provides the critical mass for the technological advancement of this country."
}