Uhuru Kenyatta
Speech delivered by H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta during The Kenya@50 Presidential Dinner at Nairobi National Park, November 9th, 2013
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I thank each one of you for making time to be here, at the Nairobi National Park, this evening. This Park, where we dine and launch the Kenya@50 partnership with the private sector, is a unique ecosystem by being the only protected area in the world close to a capital city.
Ladies and Gentlemen
My Government appreciates the enthusiasm you have expressed for participating in our Golden Jubilee commemorations. Gratifyingly, this eagerness is shown both through word and deed. Your partnership is invaluable, and we are grateful for it. I thank all the individuals and organisations who have contributed to Kenya @50 in various ways, and those who continue to do so. In particular, I wish to give special recognition to the Platinum partners for their exemplary contribution. Please keep up the good work. Other organisations are also invited to join the effort. Our plan is to give Kenyans a worth 50th Anniversary. We do not take your contribution for granted.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
As a nation, we have travelled quite a journey over the past 50 years. It has not been easy: we have had more than our just share of self-inflicted as well as inevitable difficulties. As we moved past these difficulties, we learnt lessons.
Not everyone loves Kenya as much as we do, and not everyone wishes us well. As a matter of fact, sometimes, those entrusted with stewardship of public affairs are not entirely on board regarding the national agenda, or the welfare of our people. But we prevailed because geniuses, heroes, leaders, teachers, doers, visionaries and true believers have been on the people's side always. To take us past moments of confusion, darkness, anguish, deprivation, suspicion and hatred, there have been times of clarity, light, joy, plenty, trust and love in this country.
Kenyan wombs have never tired of generating liberators to defeat oppressors. The Kenyan breast has never stopped suckling builders of the nation, feeding them with the milk of undying hope and conviction. That is why, at 50, Kenya is better, in many important ways, than the country we took over at the dawn of Uhuru.
This year, together, we pause to reflect on this eventful national journey. As one national Family, we remember the great things and the not-so-great things that have attended our passage as a country.
Friends
There was a time when Kenya was, for all intents and purposes, the property of government, and government was distinct from the citizens. A regrettable civic schism occurred, which swallowed all efforts to build a united, prosperous nation. In 2010, we reached the penultimate peak of the freedom struggle and witnessed the culmination of our independence. In the August of that year, we enacted a Constitution which returned Kenya to its only and true owners: the People. That is why the first phrase of our Constitution is 'We the People of Kenya -", and the first Article of its first Chapter enunciates the sovereignty of the people.
It is in this spirit that my Government will lead the commemoration of our Golden Jubilee. We want the people of Kenya to unite in reflection and commemoration, celebration and festivity. We wish the people to remember how division, selfishness, hatred and treachery repeatedly sabotaged the independence vision. We also wish them to remember how love, unity, loyalty and selflessness overcame the sabotage, saved Kenya and brought her to the cusp of great promise. Because of the solidarity in our National Family, we are now a mature, stable democracy with a realistic vision to attain prosperity for all before 2030. It is all because of the great people of Kenya that we have anything at all to commemorate at 50.
This is the reason why Kenya@50 must involve every Kenyan wherever they are. I request you to bring on board many ideas from as many Kenyans as possible. In fact, I expect you to also take in the perspectives of expatriates living with us, because our national family is diverse.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
You will find that your work will be made easier by fully involving county governments. Therefore, I urge Kenya@50, as well as our partners, to engage and enable counties come up with programmes and events that will showcase the nation. Kenya has heroes and patriots everywhere. In every county, the spirit of Kenyanness burns bright. Every person wants Kenya to shine. Let us provide all Kenyans with that opportunity to contribute. Unity is meaningless if there is no opportunity to contribute. We must do this thing Pamoja. We are one.
Once again, in conclusion, let me express my Government's deep appreciation for your goodwill and participation. You can rely on our support to make Kenya@50 inspiring, successful and memorable.
Ladies and Gentlemen
It is now my pleasure to declare the Kenya@50 Private Sector Partnership Pack officially launched.
I wish you success in your activities.
Thank you very much
God bless you all.