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{
"id": 278983,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/278983/?format=api",
"text_counter": 23,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mr. Mwai Kibaki",
"speaker_title": "PRESIDENTIAL STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS His Excellency the President",
"speaker": {
"id": 43,
"legal_name": "Emilio Mwai Kibaki",
"slug": "mwai-kibaki"
},
"content": "Under the devolved governments, the most successful counties are those that will harness and synergize within and between various counties in their neighborhood and beyond. I applaud those counties that are already formulating their strategy visions and plans. Furthermore, the various Bills relating to devolution clearly define modalities for co-operation, collaboration and partnerships between the county governments and the national Government. This should allay fears of conflict between the central and the county governments. In this regard, the central Government will go out of its way to ensure that county governments are empowered to effectively achieve their mandates right from day one. This is important since counties will provide critical and essential services that include health, water, agriculture and local transport. That is why wananchi have very high expectations of enhanced service delivery at the local level. I urge voters during the general election to elect competent leaders, who will transform counties to be economic enclaves that deliver public services professionally, create wealth and employment, improve and spread incomes across their populations as well as improve the quality of life. Mr. Speaker, Sir, in this Session of Parliament, I call upon Members of Parliament to work closely with the Executive to ensure that all necessary laws are passed on time, with specific focus on the laws laid out in the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution. These include the three Land Bills as well as the Public Finance Management Bill and the County Governments Bill. However, there are other Bills not listed in the Constitution but which also require very urgent attention of this august House. These include the Kenya School of Law Bill, the Legal Education Bill, the Universities Bill, the Teachers Service Commission Bill and the Public Service Commission of Kenya Bill, among others. The reforms that have been brought about by the new laws passed by this House seek to transform our country and improve the livelihoods of our people. However, this transformation can only take place when we, as a people, embrace the national values as laid out in Article 10 of our Constitution. Some of these values include patriotism, national unity, the rule of law, social justice, integrity, transparency and accountability. We must not take our democracy and these values for granted. We take pride that these are largely the same values that inspired our freedom fighters and founding fathers, to whom we continue to pay special tribute. All Kenyans should strive to live by these values, and I urge you, and all other leaders, to be good role models. Mr. Speaker, Sir, Kenya is due to hold its first general election under the new Constitution. The Government has put in place the necessary institutions and measures to regulate free, fair and credible elections. Any hindrances and obstacles of whatever nature will be dealt with decisively and promptly. We are increasing the number of security officers; moreover, massive civic and voter education will be conducted on the new Constitution and the electoral system. This House has also passed three crucial pieces of legislation that have laid down the legal framework for the forthcoming general election. These are the Elections Act, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Act and the Political Parties Act. I urge Parliament to support the Government and help to urgently harmonize the various deadlines, procedures and regulations contained in these particular legislations. I would also like to appeal to our political parties to make an effort of having a national outlook. Our democracy has now come of age and we should discourage region-based parties."
}