OPENING STATEMENT BY HON.

MWANGI KIUNJURI, MGH, CABINET

SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF DEVOLUTION AND PLANNING DURING THE
20TH MEETING OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS
(ICE), NAIROBI, KENYA, 8TH 11TH FEBRUARY, 2016 AT SAFARI PARK
HOTEL
Chairperson,
Honourable Ministers,
Principal and Permanent Secretaries,
Governors
Dr. Antonio Pedro, Director, United Nations Economic Commission for
Africa, Eastern Sub - Region,
Dr. Stephen Karingi, Director Regional Integration and Trade Division,
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa,
Distinguished Participants,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is indeed an honour and privilege for me to address this annual conference to
discuss

the

issue

of

Institutions,

Decentralization

and

Structural

Transformation in Eastern Africa. As we say in this part of the world,

KARIBUNI SANA.
I am delighted that Kenya is hosting this meeting at a time when it itself is going
through extensive institutional transformation.
Chairperson
I take this opportunity to commend the United Nations Economic Commission for
Africa, Sub-Regional Office for Eastern Africa for putting it together. This forum will
serve as a window of opportunity for high level policy makers, development partners
and policy researchers to discuss key issues and challenges pertaining to economic
and social development of our sub-region with the view to making appropriate
recommendations.
It will also define and monitor the implementation of the work programme of the
ECA.

I am optimistic that the forum will be an opportunity for our countries to

1

cement partnerships and define modalities of cooperation between and among

stakeholders on how Africas wealth and natural capital could be leveraged to
address the pressing social and economic challenges.
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen,
The theme of this conference is in tandem with Kenyas long term national
development agenda, the Kenya Vision 2030. The Vision aims at transforming the
country into a globally competitive and prosperous nation with a high quality of life,
through three pillars namely; Economic, Social and Political.
To support these pillars are transversal institutional reforms and infrastructure
development interventions. Further, the Vision is implemented through five year
successive Medium Term Plans (MTP). We are currently implementing the Second
MTP 2013 2017 whose theme is Transforming Kenya: Pathway to
Devolution, Socio-Economic Development, Equity and National Unity.

Chairperson Ladies and Gentlemen,

The challenges that such transformation brings; include human capacity, resistance
to change, pace sequencing of reforms and policy development.

Supportive

frameworks are what I expect the experts gathered to discuss and present pragmatic
solutions.
I am informed that you will also discuss and analyze the relevance and effectiveness
of decentralized political systems for governance as a means to building strong
institutions balancing national and local interests thus enhancing equity and national
unity for development.
In my view, such strong institutions have the potential to foster national cohesion
and integration in each of our counties. If among the critical outcomes from this
meeting you come up with implementable proposals relevant to the contexts of our
East African nations, you will have made significant contributions to the region

Further and as I conclude, I expect the meeting to flesh out the Africa Rising
narrative. As you are aware our region has some of the fastest growing economies.
However, this notwithstanding, our youth continue to seek green pastures outside
the continent, sometimes at great risk to their lives.
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen
Africa is indeed rising, but we need to ask ourselves some pertinent questions.
If Africa is rising, one would have thought that its people would desire to stay home
and contribute to its transformation. As experts please tell us, If Africa is rising, why
are conflicts escalating on the continent yet growth is supposed to open up economic
opportunities, stimulate economic and social empowerment, and thereby reduce
tensions in society and more importantly give hope.
If Africa is rising, why do several Africas resource-rich countries remain at the
bottom of the international league-table in human development? If Africa is rising
why do we register some of the worlds largest inequalities in wealth and in wellbeing? As Experts, you should stretch your minds and develop strategies towards
addressing these mind boggling issues.
I have confidence in your expertise in advising governments to move towards the
right development path that will make economic growth meaningful at the household
level and therefore make real the Africa is rising narrative.
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen, I have thrown quite a number of
challenges your way. It is our turn to give the right push to Africa and this region a
transformative agenda. Let us seize the moment.
I wish you fruitful deliberations.
THANK YOU.