12
Dec

Jamhuri Day Speech

Honourable Minister

Excellencies Ambassadors

Government Officials

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

    1. Let me thank all of you for honouring us by your presence this evening as we commemorate Kenya’s Independence Day. We value and appreciate the cooperation and the support of the friends present today.
      1. As we commemorate this historic day today, I wish to note that since independence Kenya has after every five years re-affirmed its democratic credentials through holding of elections where our people give a new mandate to their leaders to serve in various capacities and levels. We have in this context put our nation on a consistent and predictable journey naturing our democracy. We have steadfastly remained the gatekeepers of our liberty and our nation is a beacon of freedom, a lighthouse that continues to shine.
      2. Kenya has just come out of general elections. Free and fair elections in Kenya means a lot for Africa. This is because of the strategic role the country plays not only in the Horn of Africa but beyond. We believe that no political contest should be allowed to fuel conflict anywhere.

 

Excellencies,

      1. Let me also appreciate Kenya’s relations with Algeria which date back to the struggle for independence. Various bilateral mechanisms have been agreed upon and signed between the two countries. I am pleased to note that the two countries have excellent cooperation at the regional and multilateral levels too. Their relations are marked by a convergence of views on issues of regional and mutual interest. For a long time, our two countries have had a common commitment to work for African interests and the democratization of international relations.

 

Excellencies,

      1. Arising from Kenya’s commitment to global peace and security, the country was elected and took its place as a Non-Permanent Member of the United Nations Security Council on 1st January 2021 for the period 2021-2022. Thanks to the valued support of friendly nations, this was an affirmation of the steady progress that we are making and as a validation of our commitment to Africa’s positions and fulfillment of our obligations at the international level.

 

      1. During its tenure, Kenya dutifully and dependably executed continental and regional mandates at the UN Security Council. The country pursued mutually beneficial outcomes and continued to advance good neighbourliness and Pan Africanist ideals based on four broad objectives namely Regional Peace and Security; Peace Support Operations; Counter Terrorism and Violent Extremism; and Climate Change.

 

 

Excellencies

Ladies and Gentlemen

      1. We in Kenya are strong believers in regional and continental trade. As such, we are encouraging the full implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) which has the potential of being the world’s biggest free-trade zone by area, with a market of 1.2 billion people.
      2. In this context I am pleased again to note that that the East African Community Bloc earlier this year received a significant boost by the accession of the Democratic Republic of Congo as the 7th Member of the Community. This made the Community to be over 300 million people and doubled its landmass size as a common market and a customs union. By this action, the DRC significantly boosted its trade, investment opportunities and security prospects.

 

Excellencies,

      1. The Triple Planetary Crisis of Climate Change, Pollution and Biodiversity Loss is real. The President of Kenya who is the Chairperson of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate delivered Africa’s Statement on the matter during COP27. The climate crisis is manifesting more destructively in our daily lives. Multi-year droughts in some regions are leading to extreme food insecurity and the reversal of years of development.
      2. Climate change has intensified and broadened violent conflict and insecurity. Closer home, this is the case in the Horn of Africa, the Great Lakes Region, the Lake Chad Basin and in the Sahel Region of Africa. There is need to shape and finance climate adaptation initiatives in Africa that will respond to the climate Change-Security nexus. We should all agree on the vital link between responding to the climate change crisis and protecting international peace and security. The bottom-line is that climate change mitigation and adaptation cannot to be on the backs of the poorest.

 

Excellencies

Ladies and Gentlemen,

      1. May I conclude by saying that for all what our beloved country Kenya has achieved, we will forever remain indebted to the freedom fighters who braved the awful conditions to wage a righteous war for independence against the colonialism.

Thank you for your attention.

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