Good afternoon;
Thank you all for coming. I have a number of issues to tackle today.
Let me begin on a positive note. As you all know, this Wednesday Kenya
marks 53 years of internal self-rule. Madaraka Day is a time for
national pride and patriotism. It is an opportunity to collectively
consider where we have come from, celebrate our progress, reflect on the
challenges we continue to face and renew our commitment to building a
peaceful and prosperous nation.
The President will on Wednesday join citizens in commemorating this
important national event, while presiding over celebrations that will
held at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru. Every effort has been made to ensure a
successful event. The grounds have been readied, the area has been
well-secured and measures have been effected to ensure the organised
flow of traffic. Our armed forces have also rehearsed and are ready for
the celebratory parade as well as the President’s inspection. The
Government wishes to invite all citizens to share in the festivities of
that day, and to assure any citizen who choses to travel to Nakuru that
we are committed to ensuring their safety both during their travel and
at the event.
The public is also advised that concurrent celebrations will be held at
county and sub-county efforts for those who are unable to attend the
Nakuru event. In Nairobi, the county-level celebrations will take place
in Starehe Constitutency at Pumwani Secondary School. Across the
country, each sub-county will host similar celebrations and will
communicate details regarding the whereabouts of these events.
The Government is pleased to partner with County Governments to host
these events and looks forward to receiving the general public as we all
celebrate Madaraka Day together.
Now, allow me to address a different but related issue regarding two other activities taking place on Wednesday.
We are aware that there has been significant confusion about who shall
or will be holding an event this Wednesday at Uhuru Park. We can confirm
that through an unfortunate administrative oversight both CORD and a
religious group know as Prayer Beyond Boundaries Ministries managed to
reserve the premises. This otherwise minor, logistical issue has
regrettably become somewhat contentious and taken on unnecessary
political dimensions. Consequently, the National Security Advisory
Committee convened earlier today to evaluate the security threats
emanating from a double booking of the grounds. Following lengthy
deliberations, they decided upon the following:
First, it was decided that neither of the parties who had reserved the
premises will be permitted to use the grounds on the material day. Both
parties are therefore hereby requested to reorganise their activities
accordingly.
Second, it was decided that the Nyayo Stadium shall remain closed on
Wednesday and no functions will be held there.We regret the
inconvenience caused to those affected, but thank the public in advance
for their compliance with these provisions which, in the considered view
of the committee, are in the interest of public safety. Indeed, we
reaffirm our commitment to ensuring public safety, across the country
both on Wednesday and otherwise.
With that said, I must now turn our attention to an emerging issue of
grave concern to the Government and of the utmost National concern.
Investigations into recent political activity have yielded intelligence
to the effect that there are individuals within the country who are
working with two neighbouring countries to subvert the Government and
create conditions of instability, insecurity, lawlessness and strife.
The Government considers these contemptible undertakings to be a
betrayal of Kenya and Kenyans. These are acts of treason. Any person who
collaborates with an enemy of Kenya is also an enemy of Kenya and will
be met with the swift, full and unmitigated wrath of the law. In due
course the Government will be revealing the results of our
investigations, and unmasking these despicable traitors.
We urge public patience in this matter and promise to be uncompromising in our quest for national security.