“So far, the leadership of this country has done what has been within its ability and reach with regard to getting Kenyans to the Promised Land. However, a lot still remains undone”/FILE
Speaking at his first public lecture since leaving office, Kibaki said Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto had done well in the few months they were in control, although he felt that there was more their administration could do
.“So far, the leadership of this country has done what has been within its ability and reach with regard to getting Kenyans to the Promised Land. However, a lot still remains undone,” he said at the University of Nairobi.
Kibaki who handed over power in April this year, particularly credited Kenyatta and Ruto for their commitment to creating more job opportunities in the country as part of Vision 2030.
The compliments by Kibaki came just a day after former Prime Minister Raila Odinga – his grand coalition partner – and supporters criticised the Kenyatta administration, which they accuse of failing to obey the Constitution of Kenya.
Odinga charged that Kenyatta had failed in his leadership role and accused him of making attempts to ‘kill’ the judiciary by his latest move to appoint a tribunal to investigate six commissioners of the Judicial Service Commission.
Noting the challenges that the new government was facing, Kibaki urged the rest of the country to compliment the work of President Kenyatta especially in creation of job opportunities.
“My hope is that each of us in this country will play their part fully and faithfully especially in the area of creating both jobs and wealth, be it with and from our natural or imported resources,” Kibaki urged.
He acknowledged that Kenya has the potential to take the lead role in industrialisation and technological advancements in the African continent as he called for innovativeness.
According to him, the East African country has rich resources which if well utilised can transform the economy and uplift lives of many Kenyans.
“We must also embrace innovation, especially in industrial technology on a national scale in order to up our ante in our endeavour to transform our country. That way, we are sure to bring about a broad change of fortunes for the good of all. The future is very promising. And we can do it,” he noted.
He urged the government to fast-track the completion of the LAPPSET project to expand Kenya’s regional trade especially in Ethiopia, Uganda and Sudan. “One of the best ways forward is, without question or hesitation, the eagerly-awaited completion of the LAPPSET project, Kenya’s biggest infrastructural undertaking ever.”
In his remarks, Kibaki called for concerted efforts in instilling discipline and demanding for accountability in the public service to ensure public officers perform their duty in service delivery to Kenyans.
Kibaki declined to answer numerous questions posed to him after the debate.
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