Fellow Kenyans,
I know that you have all been anxious to see the conclusion of the consultations on the formation of the new Coalition Government.
I am therefore pleased to announce that following extensive consultations within the coalition, and taking into consideration the current challenges facing the country as well as the need to ensure regional balance in the leadership of this country, I am today announcing the Cabinet of the Grand Coalition Government.
Fellow Kenyans,The outcome of the General Elections brought to the fore unprecedented political challenges. The situation has required Statesmanship and sacrifices for the sake of national peace and unity.
The enactment of the National Accord and Reconciliation Act, 2008 and the agreement on the Cabinet underscores the commitment of our nation's leadership to put the collective interest of the country and our people above everything else.
I want to take this opportunity to thank Hon. Raila Odinga, the Prime Minister Designate and all the political leaders throughout the country for upholding the spirit of dialogue, which enabled us to unlock the political deadlock.
I also commend the religious leadership, trade unions, human and professional bodies in our country that have supported dialogue and reconciliation to ensure that a peaceful settlement is concluded within the shortest time possible.
Furthermore, I thank the mediators led by His Excellency Kofi Annan as well as friendly countries which have supported and encouraged us to overcome the political challenges we have been experiencing.
Above all, I want to thank you, my fellow Kenyans, for your tolerance and patience throughout this period. I want to assure you all that I will do everything possible to ensure that our country Kenya, is steered along the path of peace, unity and stability.
Fellow Kenyans,The multiparty politics that this country has embraced over the last 17 years has posed serious challenges to our national cohesion.
But the experience we have gained over the years, and this period in particular, has enabled us to overcome the difficulties, while we undertake necessary reforms to ensure that our country and people will be assured of living in a secure, cohesive and prosperous nation.
The enactment of the National Accord and Reconciliation Act, and the announcement of the new Cabinet today, demonstrates the commitment of the political leadership to move ahead and pay more attention to addressing the challenges facing our country and people.
Foremost, is the plight of our people - men, women and children - evicted from their homes and farms by the recent mindless violence and hooliganism. In that regard, my government has increased security presence in the affected areas in order to prevent a recurrence of the violence and mayhem.
We are also facilitating the displaced people to resettle back on their farms as we support them and the surrounding communities with farm inputs such as seeds and fertilizers. The new Cabinet will prioritize resettlement of the displaced people so that they can resume normal lives and play their part in nation-building.
I urge Cabinet members to spearhead the message of peace in all the affected areas.
Another area, is the need to ensure equal opportunities for all our people. In this respect, when I took over the leadership of this country, I pledged to commit more resources for the development of the Arid and Semi-Arid areas of our country which have in the past suffered neglect due to inadequate resources provisions and poor infrastructure.
In the Cabinet I am announcing today, I have therefore created a new Ministry for the development of Northern Kenya and other Arid Lands in order to focus on and address the unique challenges facing these areas.
The expanded Cabinet also introduces new Ministries to give priority attention to areas that are critical to the transformation of our country into a newly industrialized nation status. These include the Ministries of Industrialization, Planning and Vision TWENTY-THIRTY, and Nairobi Metropolitan Development.
Finally, I wish to reiterate and emphasize that all Kenyans enjoy equal rights under the law. In this respect, we cannot allow or tolerate discrimination of a Kenyan in whatever form. Every citizen must enjoy the right to work and to reap the benefits of his or her labour anywhere in the country without hindrance.
And therefore, the attitude, especially among some leaders, that communities should be restricted to particular areas or that some Kenyans can be perceived to be foreigners in some parts of the country is backward and unacceptable.
As we welcome foreign nationals to partner with us in developing our country, so must we welcome and embrace one another as brothers and sisters. Indeed, it is through such interaction that our country and communities can tap skills that will spur development.
The key to addressing the challenge of poverty is hard work to generate wealth and expand employment opportunities.
So, my challenge to the new Cabinet Members and the entire national leadership at all levels is: let us put politics aside and get to work.
Let us build a new Kenya where justice is our shield and defender, and where peace, liberty and plenty will be found throughout our country.
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