His Highness the Aga Khan commends Kenya’s economic growth
 President Mwai Kibaki congratulates His Highness the Aga Khan after bestowing him with Chief of the Golden Heart, the highest Kenyan award during a state banquet in his honour at State House, Nairobi. |
His Highness the Aga Khan has commended Kenya for achieving an impressive economic growth in the last three years, with the GDP expected to reach 6.9 % this year.
The Aga Khan noted that during same period, there has been a significant inflow of foreign investment and a massive investment in education, health care and infrastructure.
Referring to a new global opinion survey published by the Pew Institute and the New York Times three weeks ago, His Highness the Aga Khan said Kenyans had a reason to be optimistic about their future and that of their children as President Kibaki had transformed the country for the better.
“Those who know Kenya know that there are good reasons for this hopeful spirit,” His Highness the Aga Khan said.
His Highness the Aga Khan was speaking this evening during a state banquet hosted in his honour by President Kibaki and First Lady Mrs. Lucy Kibaki at State House Nairobi.
He noted that Kenya has one of the highest per capita literacy rates in Africa and is determined to make democracy work.
“Kenya has one of the highest per capita literacy rates in Africa and is determined to make democracy work,” said His Highness the Aga Khan.
His Highness the Aga Khan added that the Kenya Government has created an enabling environment for vibrant enterprise in fields such as agriculture and horticulture, tourism and finance.
“In fact, at a recent World Economic Forum, Kenya was ranked among the top three countries in Africa in welcoming investment and innovation,” the Aga Khan said.
In this regard, His Highness the Aga Khan, who is celebrating his Golden Jubilee, said he would be announcing this week a number of new Golden Jubilee projects that will build on past Aga Khan Development Network’s activities in Kenya to reflect the respect and affection he has for the Kenyan people.
Said His Highness the Aga Khan: “These investments will build on past AKDN activities here – in the fields of business and finance, the media, health care, education, transport, infrastructure investment – and others.”
Speaking during the state banquet, President Kibaki noted that the Ismaili community has been an important partner in the Government’s quest for social and economic development in Kenya.
The President said the energy and resources that the community has continued to deploy in various fields of development, including health, education, business and investments have immensely benefited wananchi and the country.
In this connection, the President commended and thanked the Ismaili community for their continued commitment to the social and economic development of the country.
“We value your contribution and look forward to even stronger bonds in the years ahead,” the Head of State said.
He, particularly, applauded the good work of the Aga Khan Development Network in the health sector, saying through the Aga Khan Health Services, the institution is playing an important role in the provision of quality healthcare services to Kenyans.
President Kibaki pointed out that the hospitals also provide employment to over 1,800 people, adding that the Aga Khan University hospital is the first University hospital in the region.
Said President Kibaki: “The Aga Khan University hospital offers high quality medical training to the students. I am glad to note that the hospital has trained over 4,500 community health workers.”
On the education front, President Kibaki saluted the immense contribution of the Aga Khan Education Services in the education sector, saying with thirteen schools and over six thousand students, the Aga Khan education services have continued to impact positively on the lives of many Kenyans.
He expressed optimism that the Aga Khan Education Services will consider the possibility of extending their services to the less affluent areas of the country, including the arid and semi arid areas as well as the poorer urban settings.
In this connection, President Kibaki assured His Highness the Aga Khan of the Kenya Government’s unwavering support as he continues to advance the vision and objectives of his operations in Kenya.
The President said that his Government has over the last four and half years implemented a wide range of policy, legal and institutional reforms aimed at facilitating both business and charitable organizations to carry out their work efficiently and without hindrance throughout the country.
With respect to the investment climate, President Kibaki observed that Kenya is today one of the easiest and best countries in which to do business.
“Indeed, as a result of the reforms we have implemented, our country was given an impressive rating of B+ by Standard and Poors, which is one of the most reputable rating agencies in the world,” the President noted.
Saying the spirit of inclusiveness is one of the cornerstones of his social and economic philosophy, President Kibaki said his Government is committed to ensuring that all Kenyans enjoy the benefits of the improved economic performance.
Accordingly, the President said the Government has implemented the programme of Free Primary Education that has given hope to millions of children from poor families who are now assured of accessing basic education.
He added that starting next year, the Government is taking another bold step by waiving tuition fees in all public secondary schools.
“This measure, together with the existing bursary scheme in support of children from poor families, will ensure that all children have access to secondary education,” President Kibaki said.
Furthermore, President Kibaki said the Government has introduced several devolved funds, which are being channelled directly to the communities in all parts of the country.
He said he was personally encouraged by the enormous positive impact the Government has made in the lives of the Kenyan people over the last four and a half years.
In order to address emerging challenges, President Kibaki said his Government is formulating a new economic blueprint, the VISION TWENTY THIRTY, that spells out the strategies it will be deploying over the next five years and beyond to achieve even higher levels of social and economic development.
“We envisage the Kenya VISION TWENTY THIRTY to be an all-inclusive strategic plan that will transform our country into a middle-income economy,” the Head of State said.
He appealed to Kenyans to remain focussed on consolidating the gains the country has made in order to succeed in achieving the goals set under the Kenya VISION TWENTY THIRTY.
In recognition of His Highness the Aga Khan’s dedicated service to the people of Kenya through the various organisations which he leads, President Kibaki bestowed upon him Kenya’s highest medal of honour, the Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya (C.G.H.), and encouraged him to continue with his excellent work of advancing social and economic progress in Kenya.
The President wished His Highness the Aga Khan good health, and a long and prosperous life as he celebrates his Golden Jubilee.
Ismailimail 
His Highness The Aga Khan IV, is the present Imam, and Imam is for the well Being of the Muslim Ummah and the Humanity World Wide.
Giving the honour to Imam is a respect of Governments towards Humanatarian Services of Imam of the Time, and has been practiced by many of the Govts, International Organisations, UN, and Worldly Bodies.
One should appreciate the understanding of Kenyan Govt. towards the Imam of the Time and the AKDN Agencies in ALL.
LikeLike