Kibaki sets tone for next elections

President Kibaki on Tuesday assured Kenyans of a peaceful handover of power to his successor and promised that measures had been taken to ensure the General Election would be free and fair.

“I assure Kenyans of a smooth transition to the new leadership that they will elect in the forthcoming General Election,” he said.

In his last State of the Nation address to the 10th Parliament, the President asked Kenyans to pick, as their next Head of State, a leader who would carry on the achievements of his 10 years in power.

“That leadership must have the capacity to build and sustain our Vision 2030, whose foundation we have firmly laid,” he stated.

Speaking less than a year to the elections set for March 4, 2013, the President appeared confident that the chaos that marked the 2007 polls would not recur and warned that anyone who interfered with the credibility of the exercise would be dealt with promptly.

He said measures had been put in place to allow Kenyans to freely elect their next leaders. “Kenya is due to hold its first general elections under the new Constitution. (DOWNLOAD: Kibaki's State of the Nation speech)

“The government has put in place the necessary institutions and measures to regulate free, fair and credible elections.

“Any hindrances and obstacles of whatever nature will be dealt with decisively and promptly,” he said to the foot-thumping of a near full House.

He saluted Parliament for passing three key laws on elections, the Elections Act, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Act and the Political Parties Act.

Political parties, he said, should take a national outlook with emphasis on ideology instead of assuming tribal dimensions.

More police officers would be employed to take charge of security during the elections, he said. Voters will also be educated on the electoral process and the need to elect credible leaders.

The President said a national conference on peaceful elections would be held in August to ensure the rule of law prevailed before, during and after the polls.

MPs and leaders at lower levels should start conducting district and county peace forums in preparation for the national conference.

President Kibaki walked into the chamber escorted by Speaker Kenneth Marende at 2.47pm, eight minutes after arriving at Parliament Buildings where he was received by Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka.

President Kibaki began his speech following a promise by Mr Marende that MPs would burn the midnight oil to ensure all Bills tied to the elections were passed within the set deadlines. (READ: MPs prolong sittings to debate key Bills)

The President described as urgent the passage of Bills relating to devolved units which, he said, should be established by the end of August this year.

Construction of new offices, deployment of staff and resources to the devolved units should also be complete by the deadline.

“Modalities for making the counties operational have begun in accordance with the devolution laws.

“In this regard, the process of deploying resources, staff and equipment to the counties should be completed by August this year.”

Describing the 47 counties as the new frontiers for economic development, the President promised that the national government would assist the devolved units to start playing their roles in delivering service to the public.

In the next Budget, Sh160 billion has been allocated to establish county governments. He urged MPs to quickly pass Bills which would define the relationship between counties and with the national government.

“Various Bills relating to devolution clearly define modalities for cooperation, collaboration and partnerships between the County Governments and National Government.

“This should allay fears of conflicts between the central and county governments,” he said.

Economic enclaves

He added: “I urge voters during the General Election to elect competent leaders who will transform counties to be economic enclaves that deliver public services professionally, create wealth and employment, improve and spread incomes across their populations as well as improve the quality of life.”

The President was categorical that armed groups should not use devolved system of government to attempt to secede from Kenya.

Referring to the Mombasa Republican Council (MRC), he said the Coastal region would not be allowed to secede. (READ: Police arrest 37 in crackdown on MRC)

“Kenya is one nation and any attempts or calls for secession should be rejected and shall not be tolerated.

“Specifically, the Coast region has been part of, is part of and will remain part of the Republic of Kenya,” he said.

President Kibaki celebrated the reforms that have been achieved by the Grand Coalition Government as outlined in the National Accord, ranging from the Judiciary to land and reconciliation.

However, he said the cases facing the Ocampo Four at the International Criminal Court were causing anxiety among Kenyans.

The government, he said, was seeking ways of establishing a local tribunal to try deputy PM Uhuru Kenyatta, Eldoret North MP William Ruto, former Head of Civil Service Francis Muthaura and radio presenter Joshua Sang.

He urged leaders not to make the ICC matter a political agenda. “The Kenyans facing trials also deserve a fair and legal hearing.

“In the meantime, I call on Kenyans to remain calm even as we pursue the option of having a local mechanism to deal with any international crimes.

“The matter of the ICC must also not be politicised,” he said as he reminded MPs that they passed a motion urging the government to pull out of the ICC.

While seeking fairness for the Ocampo Four, he said victims of the 2007 post-election violence would get justice.

Related to his assurance, he said a total of 12,900 acres had been bought to resettle people who were displaced by the violence and those evicted from forests at a cost of Sh2.9 billion and Sh1 billion respectively.

“The Ministry of Special Programmes has also been allocated Sh4.4 billion for construction of houses and purchase of food and non-food items,” he said.

He summed up some of the achievements of his tenure as Free Primary Education, supply of power to rural areas, high economic growth rate and construction of roads across the country.