Reasons for the reform of the Constitution. What are the main areas going to be changed? How is this reform to be carried out?
Kenya embarked on Constitutional reforms before the 1992 General elections following the repeal of Section 2A of the Constitution which ushered in multi-party democracy. Reforms became necessary to make the legal framework conform to the new political reality and aspirations of the people of Kenya. Consequently, a number of amendments of the Constitution were made including the Constitution of Kenya Review Commission Act of 1997 under which a comprehensive review of the Constitution was to be undertaken. The Act provides for the appointment of Commissioners to carry out the exercise. Currently, the composition of the Commission is being debated by Kenyans taking into consideration the views of all stakeholders, including political parties, religious groups, civil society and Non-Governmental Organizations.
In my view, members of Parliament, as the constitutionally elected representatives of the people, should have the mandate to play a leading role in the constitutional review process.
What is the present relationship with the main donor countries and institutions? Why, despite the major changes that Kenya has undertaken, the Bretton Woods institutions are not helping Kenya with structural funds?
Donor countries, multilateral financial institutions and United Nations Agencies among other development partners have important roles in the economic and social development of Kenya which complement our national efforts. These partners have provided and continue to provide support through financial, economic and technical co-operation programmes, as well as humanitarian assistance, especially development finance and balance of payment support. Kenya continues to benefit from co-operation programmes with the European Union within the National Indicative Program Framework and other initiatives under the ACP/EU LOME Convention. Kenya also benefits from support under bilateral relations programs with various countries. The relationship with donor countries and institutions has so far been good and beneficial despite occasional hitches with some on the implementation of certain political conditionalities. So far, my Government is on course in its action programmes and it is my hope that this positive action from Kenya will receive a favourable assessment from our partners and will lead to the resumption of the support and co-operation programs affected.
What role is Kenya playing under the new Treaty on the Tripartite Commission for East African Co-operation? How will Kenya help develop COMESA now that Hon. Moi is its Chairman, and what benefits will it obtain from this African common market.
Kenya is leading efforts to consolidate positive thinking on the East African Community with the aim of expediting and agreement on the Treaty. She is keen to see the success of the East African Co-operation become a Community and recognized as a building bloc towards the realization of the African Economic Community. We hope to benefit from the Community in many ways, particularly through free movement of goods, services and people across borders, promotion of the Community as a single market and investment area, common currency and common security and defence arrangements.
With regard to COMESA, Kenya is an ardent supporter of the Organization. Our role in the search for peaceful solutions to conflicts in the region has placed us in an ideal position to promote regional peace which is key to economic development. I will continue to work towards concretizing the objectives of COMESA, through convening COMESA Policy Organs meetings to monitor the implementation of COMESA policies and programs. Similarly, we shall market COMESA as an important trade and investment area at regional and global levels in the light of the current phenomena of global trends on liberalization. As part of the larger market, we hope to attract investments, trade and also expand intra-Africa trade.
What will be Kenya's new role in the international arena now that South Africa, Egypt and even Libya are bidding to become the peacekeepers and mediators of the African continent?
The interest of other countries in the search for the peaceful solutions to conflicts in Africa is welcome. As a peace loving country, we will work together in directing our efforts towards restoring peace, security and stability in the regions of our continent afflicted by conflicts. In addition to our joint efforts, we appreciate the role and support of the international community and in particular the United Nations, the Organization of African Unity and other sub-regional initiatives. Conflicts raging in Africa have plunged countries into turmoil resulting into senseless loss of human life, destruction of property and displacement of persons leading to large numbers of refugees in our region. These upheavals have threatened the security, social cohesion and economic progress in Africa. Kenya continues to experience problems emanating from conflicts in the region such insecurity and influx of refugees and also guns. Indeed, considerable energy and resources have been expended in the search for peace. In line with the global trend to encourage regional solutions to regional conflicts, Kenya will endeavour to continue to play an active role in search of peaceful solutions to conflicts. | What exactly are the present political and economical relations with the USA? What efforts is Kenya doing in order to improve them?
Kenya and the United States of America have historical warm and cordial relations. Right at the independence and even before the USA under the late President Kennedy reached out to Africa and Kenya by sending Peace Corps and in making it possible for many Kenyans to be educated in the United States of America. Similarly, Kenya has benefited from the Peace Corps Programmes through which assistance was provided to hospitals, schools and other areas of our development. The two countries are working together towards addressing issues of global character such as threat to international peace and security, environment, terrorism, drug abuse, money laundering and corruption.
The U.S. remains an important development partner, both at bilateral and multi-lateral levels. Further, U.S. multinationals have invested in Kenya, such as General Motors, Coca-Cola and Firestone and are doing good business.
Admittedly in recent years, our relations could have been better but we are working hard to ensure that our relations move forward.
Kenya's plan to become an industrialized nation by the year 2020. Kenya's plans to change its damaged tourist industry and improve its international image.
The Government has put in place the necessary institutional framework and provided the essential policy guidelines through development plans, sessional papers and other strategy documents as well as instituting an appropriate legal framework. The Government's role is now limited to the provision of a favourable environment in which the private sector can operate and thrive. Some of the measures taken include:-
Liberalization of the economy through removal of exchange and price controls, relaxation of licensing procedures for imports and exports.
Promotion of regional co-operation and integration initiatives in order to expand markets and attract investment.
Launching of a poverty eradication plan.
Embracing of structural adjustment programmes and instituting social safety-net programmes and
Introduction of Export Processing Zones and one-stop shop for investment procedures (through the investment Promotion Centre-IPC)
The steps my Government is taking towards industrial transformation include:-
Laying the foundation for take-off and promotion of industrial sectors which Kenya already has experience and competitive advantage.
Promotion of more capital and technology intensive manufacturing industries.
One factor that has kept Kenya as a leading Safari and Beach tourist destination is her peaceful political stability. Kenya is still the safest country in Africa and provides countless tourist attractions that include multiplicity of fauna and flora. I want to see the private sector involved more in the development and marketing of Kenya as an ideal tourism investment country.
President Moi's plans to further develop the country and render it more democratic before the next general elections
As I have indicated earlier, on we are in the process of undertaking a comprehensive review of our Constitution to provide a level-playing field for a sustainable democratic process. This is intended to create an enabling environment for social and economic development. My Government is addressing social ills such as corruption as well as poverty and insecurity. Already, the Kenya Anti-Corruption Authority is operational. Similarly, I have recently appointed a Commission on Eradication of Poverty and embarked on changes in the Government to enhance efficiency and delivery of services to the people. These measures constitute an integral component of our economic recovery strategy. I look forward to the support of our development partners. |
