Kalonzo: Cabinet move on voter kits to ensure fair polls
Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka (centre) and Jubilee Insurance chairman Nizar Juma (left) cut the cake to celebrate the company's 75th anniversary at the Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi August 3, 2012. He is flanked by Jubilee's board members. Mr Musyoka said Cabinet move urging Kenya's electoral body to use biometric voter registration was meant to ensure a free, fair and transparent General Election. VPPS
Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has the Cabinet move urging Kenya's electoral body to use biometric voter registration was meant to ensure a free, fair and transparent General Election.
Mr Musyoka said that the government will consider all options including restricted tendering to procure the voter kits within a short time.
The VP recalled that the Kriegler Commission had recommended the use of a similar technology in their report as the surest way of restoring confidence in the electoral process and avoiding a recurrence of the 2007/2008 post election violence.
"The way to go is to adopt the Kriegler recommendation and to ensure we have a clean voter register in order to guarantee a free and fair election,” he said on Friday evening during the 75th anniversary celebrations of Jubilee Insurance Company at the Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi.
On Friday, the Cabinet backed the biometric voter registration saying it will enhance the credibility of the next elections.
A statement from the Presidential Press Service said the Cabinet resolved to support the biometric voter registration system as a policy guideline to help build public confidence in the electoral system ahead of the General Election.
Mr Musyoka assured the international community and investors of the government’s commitment to ensure a peaceful poll due in March 2013.
He challenged the insurance sector to tap the available potential in the country to expand their services.
The VP noted that despite the presence of leading insurance companies in Kenya, the market was still under-insured with a penetration of only three percent.
He urged insurance companies to continue expanding by taking insurance services closer to the people and providing products that serve all communities and income groups.
The company which started in 1937 is the largest and most profitable composite insurer in the region, operates in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Mauritius and Burundi.
"Jubilee is now an acknowledged leader in the East African Insurance sector with current assets worth over Sh38bn and Gross Written Premiums of over Sh16bn employing over 600 staff and 2,000 agents across the region,” he said.
The Chairman of Jubilee Holdings Ltd Nizar Juma said Jubilee Insurance has demonstrated to the world that it is possible to develop and become a leader in business in Kenya and in East Africa, without resorting to graft.
He thanked the government and all stakeholders for the unwavering support they have given jubilee for the 75 years, which he said had made the company grow into a market leader in the region.
“As we move ahead, we underlie our commitment to strategies that have given them value, sustain our innovative approach towards delivering them insurance products that best meet their needs,” he said.
Mr Nazir said Jubilee Insurance has plans of expanding their operations to 15 countries in Africa by 2020.
“The future for Jubilee is one of optimism, of continuing our growth organically in the existing countries and of expanding geographically into 15 countries in Africa,” he said.
Among those present included the British High Commissioner to Kenya Dr Christian Turner, Canadian High Commissioner to Kenya David Collins, Jubilee Group Chief Operating Officer Mehdi Janmohamed and several CEOs and corporate leaders from 12 countries across the world including Kenya and East Africa region.
