Uhuru's speech during meet with Kenyans in South Africa

President Uhuru Kenyatta meets with President Jacob Zuma of South Africa when he paid him a courtesy call at his residential hotel on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum on Africa in Cape Town, South Africa.

Cape Town, South Africa: During his four-day visit to Cape Town, President Uhuru Kenyatta met the Kenyan Diaspora living in South Africa.

Here is his verbatim speech:

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am greatly pleased to meet with you on this occasion of my visit to South Africa for the World Economic Forum on Africa.  I thank the Acting High Commissioner and her team at the Kenya High Commission, for facilitating this meeting with Kenyans living here.

May I also say that I am proud of all you brave Kenyans who have taken the courage to venture into the world outside our borders in search of opportunities.  Back home, we cherish the contribution that you make not only in support of your families but also the development of our country.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I believe you have been following political developments in Kenya and are aware that we concluded a competitive electoral process that was conducted peacefully.  The successful election proved to the whole world and naysayers alike that Kenyans have come of age democratically and are ready and willing to march forward as one people.  The task ahead of Kenyans both within and outside the country is to demonstrate this maturity and unity and to now move forward in the work of nation building.

As you are also aware, Kenyans bestowed upon the Jubilee Coalition the honour and great responsibility of leading our beloved country.  I am pleased to inform you that my Government will work with all Kenyans, regardless of their political affiliation.  In this regard, and as we have demonstrated so far, my Government will reflect the face of our great country.

I wish to reiterate my promise to the Kenyans in the Diaspora, that though time constraints and other logistical difficulties barred you from participating in the last General Elections, my Government will put in place measures to ensure that Kenyans in the Diaspora vote in the next General Elections in accordance with the Constitution of Kenya.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Regarding the way forward on key areas of national endeavour, I wish to assure you that I am steadfast in my promise on implementing the Constitution.  My Government will in this regard support the devolution process in accordance with the Constitution.  Indeed, I am glad to note that devolution resonates well with my Government’s policy of inclusiveness and participation.

I believe that devolution will not only ensure that the Wananchi have a stake in matters that affect their livelihoods but will also go a long way in expanding Kenya’s vibrant democratic space and spurring economic development across the country.   Additionally, we are committed to continue deepening institutional reforms again as required under the Constitution.  Institutional reforms will enable us enhance probity in government, entrench the rule of law and good governance and restore confidence in public institutions.

 With respect to the economy, and while we made considerable progress over the last ten years, much more needs to be done.  In particular, we are facing high levels of poverty and unemployment especially among our youth that must be addressed as a matter of priority.  My Government is fully cognizant of these and other challenges.

In this regard, we are committed to implementing the Vision 2030 economic blueprint among other policies that will enable us grow our economy by double-digits.  We will also step up measures to improve the business environment and promote the growth of a vibrant private sector in the country.

I am pleased to note that Kenya now has many investment opportunities available in all sectors of the economy, among them the Vision 2030 flagship projects.  I urge Kenyans in the Diaspora to take advantage of these opportunities and help us build Kenya as you also build yourself.

 The importance of peace and security to economic prosperity cannot be overemphasized.  Indeed, we cannot achieve the levels of economic development that we aspire without ensuring the safety of our people and the security of our investments.  It is for this reason that we have expended huge efforts and resources on peace building and peace-making. As a country, we will remain resolute on eliminating all threats and agents of terror targeting our beloved country.

In this connection, and as will be recalled, I recently attended the London Conference on Somalia, held in UK, where we agreed on various measures to support the stabilization process. Kenya will continue to be engaged in the Somali process in the interest of our national security. We will also continue to support and participate in the initiatives of the IGAD, the AU and the international community in restoring peace and security in the central, eastern and horn of Africa regions.

In terms of regional integration, my Government will continue to support regional economic integration initiatives across Africa.  I believe that the future of Africa lies in greater integration as this will widen markets for goods and services. This, in turn, will enhance intra-Africa trade, facilitate generation of wealth and uplift the lives of our people.

 Going forward, Africa should now focus on consolidating the various regional economic blocs in the continent. As I have pointed out before, I believe the time for the African economic renaissance is now and African countries should join hands to hasten this reality.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

You are aware that the Government has been developing a Diaspora Policy that will shape its engagement with you, with a view to meeting your needs and expectations in a mutually beneficial relationship. We are committed to expediting the finalization of this policy in order to both facilitate the Kenyan Diaspora in investing in their country and also harness the massive contribution that the Diaspora can make to the development of our country.

In the new Constitutional dispensation, and in an effort to achieve the aspirations of this Policy, we seek to mainstream the Kenyan Diaspora into the national development agenda. I, therefore, urge you to take advantage of investment opportunities unfolding in the newly created counties.  I also challenge the County Governments to create innovative ways to attract Diaspora direct investments and to develop avenues through which you can contribute to the formulation of their development plans.

At this juncture, I wish to reiterate the need for you to form strong associations as these will not only assist the Government in engaging you, but also afford you the opportunity to lobby for issues of interest to you. In conclusion, I wish to remind you that you are Kenya’s first-line ambassadors here.  I, therefore, encourage you to continue to promote our relations with South Africa and to build a reputation of hard work and integrity for our country.

Thank you and God bless you all.