Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The government of Kenya is committed to a speedy implementation of the new constitution which was promulgated last month. Speaking this morning during a regular briefing session to envoys from North and South America, Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetang’ula said that parliamentary committees on the implementation process have already been set up.

The Minister welcomed Kenya’s partners from the two regions to assist in the process; a process that is expected to demand huge financial and human resource input. He added that the government faces a major challenge in meeting the expectations of the people of Kenya, who voted for the new constitution in the August 4 referendum by over 60 per cent. Hon. Wetang’ula said the new constitution addresses fundamental issues touching on Kenyans, including the Bill of Rights and devolution of power.

Africa MDG Consultative Forum in Kigali

6 September 2010 | Kigali

H.E. President Kibaki (2nd L) during the Africa MDG's Consultative Forum. Behind the President, Hon. Moses Wetang'ula

Foreign Affairs Minister, Honourable Moses Wetang’ula, on September 5 accompanied H.E. the President to the Pan -African Consultative meeting on the Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s) held in Kigali, Rwanda. The meeting was convened by President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, in his capacity as the Co-chair of the MDG Advocacy Group, set up by the UN Secretary General in March 2010, to revitalise the world’s commitment to the MDG’s. The meeting was aimed at building consensus on a common African position and agreeing on concrete actions needed to deliver MDG’s in Africa, ahead of a United Nations MDG Summit to be held from 20 to 22 September in New York.

During the opening session, it was widely acknowledged that, while Africa continues to make steady progress towards achievement of the MDG’s, the progress remains uneven across countries and across the targets. Without additional efforts, many African countries are likely to miss the targets by the 2015 deadline. The leaders were urged to show more commitment and accountability in delivering the millennium targets. The need for identification of practical solutions that are locally owned, and which reflect the circumstances of different countries was also emphasised.

Substantive discussions of the meeting were held in closed working sessions attended by the Heads of State and Government and their close advisors. Kenya’s delegation to the meeting was led by H.E. President Mwai Kibaki, Foreign minister, Hon. Moses Wetang’ula, Minister for Planning, Hon. Wycliffe Oparanya and Public Health and Sanitation minister, Hon. Beth Mugo. The high level delegation to the Consultative Forum is an indication of the value that the Government of Kenya attaches to the achievement of the MDG’s, and the desire to share with other African countries and developing partners, the best practices and practical advice on how of attain these laudable aspirations. The passage of the new constitution is expected to accelerate the achievement of the MDG’s by availing more resources to the grassroots and enhancing public participation in development projects in their localities.

Foreign Minister briefs envoys

2 September 2010

Foreign Affairs Minister with one of the Diplomats who attended the briefing

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Honorable Moses Wetang’ula has today briefed Ambassadors and High Commissioners representing Middle East and Asian countries in Kenya on the challenges facing the country in implementing the new constitution.

Thanking the envoys for their continued cooperation, Wetang’ula told the diplomats that Kenya requires financial and technological support to actualize the new laws and bring prosperity to the country.

The envoys, led by their dean, Ambassador Han-Gon Lee of the Republic of Korea congratulated Kenyans for ratifying the new constitution, and promised to support the implementation of the new constitution.

Hon Wetang’ula called on the Asian countries to support Kenya in ensuring peace and stability in the sub-region and promoting justice and reconciliation in Sudan.

Wetang’ula acknowledges support from African countries on constitutional reforms

1 September 2010

Foreign Minister, Moses Wetang'ula (C) shares a light moment with H.E. Majok Guandong,Sudan ambassador to Kenya (L). Right is Amb. Michael Oyugi of Africa Directorate

Foreign affairs minister, Moses Wetang’ula has said that Kenya is grateful for the support received from African countries throughout the entire process of constitutional reforms, which culminated with the promulgation of the new constitution on 27 August 2010.

At a regular briefing to the Group of African ambassadors resident in Kenya, the minister conveyed a message of gratitude from H.E. President Mwai Kibaki to their governments for their technical and moral support for the reform process. He recalled that the National Accord, including the Agenda item 4, which kick started the making of the new constitution was championed by the African Union.

Consequently, African countries played a key role in the identification of valuable expertise from the continent and beyond, to serve in the various commissions established to give impetus to the constitutional reform process. Wetang’ula termed the passage of the new constitution, a milestone not only for Kenya but for the whole of Africa. He said that Kenya had delivered a new modern constitution, from which other African countries in the process of reviewing their laws could borrow a leaf.