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{
    "id": 60597,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/60597/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 24,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Mwai Kibaki",
    "speaker_title": "PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS His Excellency the President",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 43,
        "legal_name": "Emilio Mwai Kibaki",
        "slug": "mwai-kibaki"
    },
    "content": " Mr. Speaker, Sir, hon. Members, it is my pleasure to join you and make this inaugural address to a Special Sitting of Parliament. I also trust that the short recess provided you with an opportunity to closely interact with your constituents. We have reconvened at a critical juncture of our nation’s history. Our new Constitution has renewed our sense of nationhood and given us hope for a brighter future. Indeed, Parliament has an opportunity to engrave itself in the annals of our national history. You are called upon to pass additional landmark legislation that is required to implement our new Constitution. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I am pleased to note that in the last Session this House passed 17 Bills that are critical to our national affairs. Some of these relate to the implementation of the Constitution. They include The Commission on the Implementation of the Constitution Act and the Judicial Service Commission Act. Others addressed security and socio-economic concerns facing our people. They included the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act and The Prevention of Organized Crimes Act. I commend Members of Parliament for the work done in ensuring the passage of this important legislation. Mr. Speaker, Sir, this House is also reconvening at a time when Kenya’s economy is rebounding with an estimated 5.4 per cent growth rate registered last year. Our economic prospects this year are high though we are faced with serious challenges. These include high fuel costs, increased inflation and depreciation of the Kenya Shilling. Many parts of our country are also experiencing prolonged drought, food shortage as well as lack of grazing pasture. The Government is working hard to ensure that our brothers and sisters affected by the drought are provided with adequate food. Measures are being taken to mitigate losses of livestock. Furthermore, the Government is continuing to expand support for irrigated agriculture and improved livestock management. Moreover, I would like to assure this House and indeed, all Kenyans, that the Government is undertaking fiscal and monetary measures to maintain the economy on a high growth path. Mr. Speaker, Sir, despite the challenges that we have faced, the Government has remained focused on the expansion of our economy in line with Vision 2030. For example, our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has been on an expansionary path. In the year 2002, our GDP, which measures the total value of goods and services produced, stood at less than Kshs1 trillion. Last year, our GDP was valued at about Kshs2.5 trillion. This is an indication of increased economic activity in our nation. Significant progress has also been made in infrastructure development, especially in the roads, energy, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and water subsectors. These have not only enhanced the wellbeing of our people but also improved the business environment. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Grand Coalition Government is determined to systematically implement the new Constitution. We will, therefore, give Bills relating to judicial reforms high priority. With an objective and independent Judiciary any dispute arising from interpretation of the new Constitution will be resolved lawfully. In this Session of Parliament the Government will table additional Bills to fast-track the reform of the Judiciary and make operational Commissions and independent offices. These reforms are intended to strengthen accountability, administration of justice, rule of law and ensure checks and balances in governance. To further strengthen the Judiciary, the Supreme Court Bill has been prepared. This will establish the Supreme Court and provide for its rules of procedure. Similarly, the Government will introduce the Other Superior Courts Bill which will provide for the establishment of courts with the status of High Courts to hear and determine disputes relating to employment and labour relations, the environment and land. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Government will also present the following Bills to make operational various commissions:- 1. The Independent Commissions Bill; 2. The Commission on Revenue Allocation Bill; 3. The Salaries and Remuneration Commission Bill; 4. The Kenya National Human Rights and Equality Commission Bill; 5. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission Bill; 6. The Public Service Commission Bill; 7. The National Land Commission Bill; 8. The Commission on Administrative Justice Bill; 9. The National Police Service Commission Bill; and, 10. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Bill. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the general election will be held in less than two years from today. As we approach this important event, it is in the interest of all of us to ensure that the elections are conducted within a framework that guarantees free and fair exercise of people’s choices. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the next elections will be more demanding due to the large numbers of offices to be contested for. In this regard, an Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Bill has been prepared and discussed with the stakeholders. It is now ready for tabling. The Bill makes provision for effective operation of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, including continuous legislation of voters, the delimitation of electoral boundaries, registration of candidates and voter education. The Elections Bill provides for the settlement of electoral disputes arising from nominations, the conduct and supervision of elections and the development of a modern system of collection, collation, transmission and tallying of electoral data. These two Bills will safeguard free and fair elections and entrench our democratic system of governance. I, therefore, call upon this august House to debate and pass the Bills within the next three months."
}