'Working together in unity of purpose, we shall defy odds and succeed'

I wish to thank the people of Mombasa and the Coast region in general, for the warm welcome you have accorded me and other visitors from across the country.

A few years ago, my administration made the decision to celebrate National Days on a rotational basis. In this way, we celebrate the diversity of the nation and show that while we are many, we are one; one nation, one people.

This new tradition also allows us to appreciate the rich diversity of our country, and, in particular, the positive contributions being made under our devolved structure of governance.

In addition, it gives the hosting county the rare opportunity to showcase itself on the national stage.

Today, Mombasa joins the Nakuru, Machakos, Nyeri, Meru, Kakamega and Narok, who have hosted national days' celebrations in the past.

It is, therefore, my great pleasure to lead the nation in celebrating the 10th Mashujaa Day from Kenya’s oldest town and her second city, Mombasa.

Fellow Kenyans, Mombasa, and indeed, the entire Coast region, is a good example of my administration’s commitment to the letter and spirit of devolution.

Over the last six years since I took office in 2013, the counties of Kilifi, Kwale, Lamu, Mombasa, Taita Taveta and Tana River have cumulatively received close to Sh190 billion from the National Treasury. In addition to running county governments, these devolved funds have paid for roads, schools, youth polytechnics, water projects and hospitals at the local level – development projects that make a difference and better the quality of life for millions of Kenyan families.

Under my administration, we have undertaken tangible steps to address the unique development needs of this region. In the six years, there has been more targeted and concerted focus on developing the coast region than any other time in the history of our country.

Fishing ports

From Holili in Taita Taveta County to Mokowe on the shores of Lamu County; from the fishing ports of Shimoni in Kwale County to Borji in Tana River County; from the legendary Bamba shopping centre in the nearby Kilifi County to the Mama Ngina Sea Front that is playing host to today’s event, the visual markers of progress are plain for all to see.  

The Dongo Kundu by-pass, the road from Bamba to Mariakani, the link road from Tsavo East to Malindi from Sala Gate, the Garsen-Witu Road and the Voi to Taveta Road, are just some examples of the enabling infrastructure, built to unleash the economic potential of the towns and villages that they connect.

In Mombasa County, the transformation continues to redefine the face of the county through the recently-completed road projects: Miritini, Mwache, Kipevu New Container link road and Moi International Airport access road and Port Reitz, while the following other projects are on the verge of completion, that is: Mariakani highway and dualing of Magongo road.

It is under this administration that our ports and harbours have been expanded with new investment. At Kilindini, we have more than doubled the volume of cleared cargo passing through the port annually. The significance of the port is further underscored by an 8,000-strong direct workforce hired at the facility and an even larger number of people that it supports indirectly.

Under my administration, we are reviving the Kenya National Shipping Lines. It is my plea to all the stakeholders to support this transformative initiative that is geared towards cementing our place as the logistics hub for the region and the continent.

Fellow Kenyans, it is under this administration that the County of Lamu will play host to the newest port on the African east coast. The Lamu Port will begin its operations, initially as a trans-shipment hub for global shipping lines.

It will be supported by a Special Economic Zone that is expected to attract investors from across the world, to undertake various economic activities.

Our aspiration is to link the Lamu Port to the Lamu Port South Sudan–Ethiopia Transport (Lapsset) corridor through road infrastructure. Our aim is to make Lamu Port the port of choice for the export of Kenya’s crude oil.

I urge the residents of Lamu to embrace this investment and to take advantage of the many opportunities that it will bring, in terms of wealth creation and prosperity.

Our strategy to harness our maritime resources is a critical part of the Big Four agenda on food security and job creation in the manufacturing sector. It is in pursuit of the blue economy development that my administration has moved decisively to recover all fish landing sites that had been illegally acquired.

In addition, we have taken steps to stop illegal fishing by foreign trawlers through the introduction of the region’s first National Coast Guard Service.  

Mashujaa Day is a national day to collectively honour all those who participated in the struggle for our independence as well as those who have positively contributed towards the development of post-independence Kenya.

On this day, we celebrate those who have built Kenya with their bravery, sacrifice and fidelity. We celebrate and honour those that go above and beyond the call of duty.  

By this definition, it is possible for each and every Kenyan to be feted on Mashujaa Day. Why? Because positive contributions towards post-independence Kenya do not necessarily require grand acts of heroism akin to those of the founding fathers and mothers of our great nation.

To be a shujaa is to be committed to going above and beyond your call of duty, whatever your station in life, in order to make Kenya a better place for all.

The sons and daughters of the coast region made phenomenal contribution to the struggle for independence. From Mekatilili wa Menza to Ronald Ngala, you gave Kenya countless men and women of iconic status, who contributed immensely to freeing our nation from the yoke of colonial rule.

The story of Kenya would not be as rich, dynamic or as vibrant, were it not for your sons and daughters.

As their descendants, I am proud to proclaim that their legacy is alive and well within you; a fact demonstrated by the continued contributions to the Kenyan dream, being made by all the people of Pwani.

Today, we celebrate all the men and women from every corner and community of Kenya, who helped make Kenya an independent State.

Today, we honour the Kenyans called to serve around the World; our Kenyans in the diaspora, who continue to be our brand ambassadors in countries far from home, and who continue to support millions of Kenyans back home.

Today, we honour our men and women in uniform serving across our various services, whose commitment to duty, sacrifice and bravery is at the heart of our freedom and security.

Today, we particularly honour and salute all those who paid the ultimate price for the sake of Kenya; all those whose actions have contributed to making Kenya the towering island of peace and security within a region fraught with a history of turmoil and insecurity.

Our nation continues to be the home of mashujaa, just as it was when bold men and women stood in solidarity against a world power, and won our independence and sovereignty, while only armed with courage and sacrifice.

A shujaa pays their full share of taxes; promptly, diligently, and not under coercion. A shujaa refuses to give or receive a bribe and reports all those who do so.

A shujaa is not an innocent by-stander, non-committal and uninvolved; instead they think, move and speak boldly.  

I must mention the two shujaas of the year 2019: Eliud Kipchoge, and Brigid Kosgei, who on a weekend of global firsts, smashed the women’s marathon world record.

Kenya today is the global custodian of both men and women's World Record Marathon titles.

Our very own Eliud Kipchoge, beyond the world title he bagged in 2018; has further achieved the previously unthinkable feat of being the first human being to run the marathon distance in under two hours.

My fellow citizens; Kuajibika ni ushujaa: Civic duty is heroism. Be a hero in all that you do, in every waking moment, in every action and in every word.  

Our home of mashujaa needs you now more than ever – the 45 million of us.  

Kenya is at a pivotal stage in her progress. The actions and decisions that each Kenyan makes in the present day will determine whether our nation will achieve the Kenyan dream as articulated under the Kenya Vision 2030, and presently focused through the Big Four agenda.  

Just to remind ourselves, the Big Four encompasses a decent roof over many more heads through affordable housing, food and nutritional security, universal healthcare and job creation through manufacturing and value addition.

Let us all remain committed to the race, to being the best and world-beaters in all that we do. In each of us lies the seeds of greatness, of heroism.  

Every Kenyan should plant that seed in the fertile soils of integrity, water it with hard work and commitment to duty, grow it only in the direction of the light of truth and justice, and reap from the tree only those fruits that have been borne from our rightful efforts.

All world religions have a golden thread of service to fellow mankind, especially the less fortunate. They demand that we improve ourselves and that we also better the world around us.

Aas a prayerful and a God-fearing nation, and one that acknowledges the supremacy of God Almighty in the preamble of her Constitution, I call upon us all to attempt to do the best with what is committed onto us. One of our greatest heroines - the late Prof Wangari Maathai, who inspired the world with her commitment to Mother Nature, often shared the story of the little hummingbird. When faced with a huge forest fire, all other animals stood by and did nothing, overwhelmed and feeling powerless.

But the hummingbird decided to do something about the fire. It flew to the nearest stream, picked a drop of water and sought to put out the fire, one drop of water at a time.

And so, Prof Maathai encouraged us to be like that little hummingbird — to do the best we can, even though it may seem insignificant to others. Eventually, it will count for much.  

Let us be a nation of hummingbirds, transforming our communities, one drop, one step, one initiative, one transformation at a time.

Similarly, Eliud Kipchoge has inspired the world that no human effort is futile…that we can dream and make our dreams a possibility. That we can achieve what has never been achieved before.  

On my part, I commit the Government of Kenya to even greater fidelity to the principles, values and aspirations that informed the struggle for independence; and all the positive development of post-independence Kenya.  

We commit to providing each and every Kenyan with the enabling environment, to be all that they can be; and to bring out the shujaa in each and every Kenyan.  

Working together, in unity of purpose, we shall defy all odds and succeed.

Thank you and God bless Kenya.

[This is an abridged speech read by President Uhuru Kenyatta during Mashujaa Day celebrations yesterday]