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"id": 256453,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/256453/?format=api",
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"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"
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"content": "For those who may be tempted to test our resolve, let them be warned that the institutions we have put in place are alert, and will spare no one. However, I would like to emphasise that the war against corruption should be fought from all directions. Whether we are in the public sector or the private sector, we have to shun all manifestations of corruption. That is the only way in which we will be able to win this fight and ensure a complete change in mindset. Mr. Speaker, Sir, sustaining economic development requires a peaceful and secure environment, where people can go about their productive activities without fear of being molested by criminal elements. The reform measures being implemented by my Government in the police and other law-enforcement agencies are already producing positive results. Public perception of the level of crime in our urban areas, especially in Nairobi, has substantially improved. All this is March 21, 2006 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 7 because of the good work of the police, some of whom have lost their lives in the course of duty. I salute these brave heroes and send my condolences to their wives, husbands and children. During this Session of Parliament, the Government will re-table Bills which lapsed when the House went on recess last year. We will also introduce new Bills and Sessional Papers for consideration. In this regard, the Government will re-table the Statute (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill, 2006. This Bill seeks to, among other things amend the Public Officer Ethics Act, 2003 to make declarations of assets and liabilities open to public scrutiny. Other amendments will also seek to increase the number of Judges from 50 to 70, and Judges of Appeal from 11 to 15. We will also increase the number of magistrates so as to ensure speedy administration of justice. In order to strengthen investigations and convictions, the Government will table the Witness Protection Bill. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the main objective of this Bill is to ensure that witnesses who volunteer useful information to the authorities and the courts are not exposed to intimidation or danger. In addition, we will table the Proceeds of Crime and Money Laundering Bill to enable the Government to acquire funds and assets that have been obtained illegally. Mr. Speaker, Sir, in the agricultural sector, the Government will table several Bills and Sessional Papers aimed at expanding productivity and raising income for farmers. These include: A Sessional Paper to increase the land area under irrigation from the current 110,000 hectares to 530,000 hectares. We will also bring a Sessional Paper and a re-tabling of the Cotton Bill, 2005 to revitalise the cotton industry. A draft Bill has also been prepared to transform the Cotton Board of Kenya into a Cotton Development Authority. Also to be tabled is a proposed amendment to the Coffee Act, 2001 and a Sessional Paper on revitalisation of the sugar industry. Mr. Speaker, Sir, in the business sector, the Government will table Bills aimed at supporting the growth of small and medium scale enterprises, and regulation of the co-operative sector. The Government will table the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises Bill, the Deposit- Taking Micro-Finance Bill (2005) and the Savings and Credit Co-operative Societies Bill. In the transport sector, the Government will table amendments to the Transport Licensing Act to make it easier for wananchi to obtain vehicle licences. The Act will also enable public service vehicle operators to renew their licences all year round. The Government recognises that the use of information technology will speed up services to wananchi and the overall development of our country. To this end, my Government has approved the National Policy Guidelines for the development of the ICT sector. The Government will table a Sessional Paper on ICT and the Kenya Information and Communications Bill, 2006 which will replace the current Kenya Communication Act (1998). Mr. Speaker, Sir, to entrench and institutionalise gender in development, the Sessional Paper on Gender Equality and Development has been finalised and will be submitted to Parliament for consideration. I look forward to the approval of this important Sessional Paper to facilitate the empowerment of women. The development of local authorities is essential for provision of essential services to wananchi and for the development of the country as a whole. To improve the management of local authorities, the Government will propose a Bill for the establishment of a Financial Management and Control Board for local authorities experiencing financial distress. The Government will also table the Local Authorities Bill which seeks to provide for the creation of a Metropolitan City of Nairobi. It will also create the necessary legal framework that will formalise the elevation of Mombasa and Kisumu to city status. Mr. Speaker, Sir, other Bills to be tabled include: The National Social Health Insurance Bill, the Wildlife (Conservation and Management) (Amendment) Bill, the Banking (Amendment) 8 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES March 21, 2006 Bill, 2004 the Political Parties Bill, which aims to entrench democracy by providing an appropriate registration system, democratic management and State funding; a Sessional Paper on foreign policy with a greater thrust on advancement of Kenya's economic and social interests. Before I conclude my remarks, I am glad to announce the visit this week of the President of Tanzania, His Excellency Jakaya Kikwete. We will soon send invitations to hon. Members to a dinner on Friday, 24th March, 2006, which I will host in honour of His Excellency President Jakaya Kikwete who will come to our country on a familiarisation visit. I would like to reiterate that my Government will continue to work closely with our partners in the East African Community towards economic and political integration of the East African region. I am glad to note that the steps we have taken so far towards integration have resulted in remarkable increase in the volume of trade. For instance, volume of trade between Kenya and COMESA countries has increased from 28 per cent to 46 per cent over the last three years. It is important to note that the establishment of regional trading blocs has diversified Kenya's foreign trade. We are now trading more with our immediate neighbours. The prospects are even better now due to the peace that is prevailing in Southern Sudan and Somalia. Strengthening our relations with our neighbours and the countries in our region will remain an extremely important dimension of our foreign policy. Despite the outcome of the referendum last year, the Government remains committed to delivering on its promise of a new constitution."
}