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{
    "id": 732877,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/732877/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 111,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Fifty years ago, many countries, especially in Asia, were even poorer than we were. They were weighed down by corruption and limited national visions. Yet we witnessed them accelerate their development by reforming their governance frameworks and drawing massive investments that built industrial economies that have delivered millions of jobs to their citizens. Hon. Members, there is no shortcut to matching their achievement. They also needed to build the same kind of foundation that we are currently putting in place. We are on a similar path but we must run rather than walk along it because we do not have the luxury of time. This is why I campaigned on a ticket of transformation. I knew all along that it was not enough to continue at the pace we had been on for the past 50 years. We needed to fast-track the building of the assets that would lead to the growth of a strong, job-rich economy. This is why we have gone out of our way to give a new lease of life to industries that will accelerate the growth of our economy and provide jobs for our people. The revival of industries like Pan Paper Mills in Webuye, Rift Valley Textiles Company in Eldoret, the re-establishment of new motor vehicle assembly lines by Volkswagen, Peugeot and Toyota demonstrate that we are on our way. We have also given new impetus to the development of our blue economy to translate our fishing and shipping potential into new industries and jobs. Our transformation is for every Kenyan. It is underway, and the great promise of uplifting more of our people into the middle class will be achieved. What we must do to achieve this shared prosperity, is to stay the course and continue building on our achievements so far. I believe that history will remember this period as the turning point when Kenya became a leading investment destination in the world, and the newest entrant into large-scale manufacturing. Fellow Kenyans, I note that Kenya will conduct its general elections in August this year. Elections are nothing new to Kenyans. We are one of the few African countries that have had regular elections since Independence without fail. We are an icon of democracy, a bastion of freedom, a haven of safety where freedom of expression flourishes but we must be mindful that democracy is a fragile state and we need to protect it. I wish to assure the nation that my Government is committed to a free and fair election. The process of preparation for the election is well underway. Parliament passed legislations to improve the management of the electoral process. These include the Election Offences Act No.37 of 2016, to manage election offences; the Political Parties (Amendment) Act No.14 of 2016 to improve management of the Political Parties Fund, among others. My Government has also enacted laws to enhance transparency and accountability of the electoral process and enacted the Election Laws (Amendment) Act No.36 of 2016 and the Election Laws (Amendment) Act No.1 of 2017. We wish, at this juncture, to also request the Judiciary that they do not act as a stumbling block to our ability to hold free, fair and transparent elections. As we approach the polls, I wish to remind Kenyans to uphold peace and remain united. Elections are a one-time event but Kenya is larger than all of us and shall, and must remain. Those seeking political office must desist from any utterances that may The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate"
}