Push for national unity and fight graft, Kenyans told
BY MWAKERA MWAJEFA and PSCU
President Uhuru Kenyatta has called on Kenyans to join hands in pushing for national unity and fighting graft in every aspect of the societal fabric.
In his address at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Nyali Subcounty of Mombasa County on the eve of Christmas, praised the church’s resolve to fight against corruption among its followers countrywide.
He urged Kenyans to live together in peace and harmony in order to develop the nation socially, politically and economically.
The President was accomapnied by the First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, his mother, Mama Ngina Kenyatta and other members of the first family currently on holiday in the Coastal Port City of Mombasa.
CABINET
Meanwhile, the cabinet approved the commercial farming of BT cotton hybrids following the successful completion of field trials that were conducted over a period of five years on December 19.
The commercial farming of BT cotton is set to ensure farmers earn more from the crop through increased production. It will also boost the manufacturing pillar of the Big 4 Agenda where Kenya seeks to establish itself as a regional leader in textile and apparel production.
During a Cabinet meeting chaired by the President at Nairobi State House the cabinet also approved the coming into operation of the New Kenya Planters Co-operative Union (KPCU) as well as the immediate operationalization of the Coffee Cherry Advance Revolving Fund.
The Cabinet discussed the issue of pending bills and reiterated that all arms of Government should move quickly to settle all bills that were audited and verified by the Office of the Auditor General.
It further approved the establishment of an inter-agency team to verify historical pending bills worth Shs 40 billion within one month and also approved the renaming of Moi Day which falls on 10th October as Huduma Day.
VOLUNTEERISM
This is in line with former President Daniel Arap Moi’s desire that the day be commemorated as a day of service and volunteerism.
Under the proposals to amend the Public Holidays Act (Cap 109), Cabinet approved the renaming of Boxing Day which falls on 26th December to Utamaduni Day.
Utamaduni Day will be set aside to celebrate the country’s rich cultural diversity and heritage. The proposed amendments to the Public Holidays Act will take effect once approved by Parliament.
To boost the country’s position as the film destination of choice in Africa, the Cabinet discussed and approved the immediate implementation of the film incentives package.
The incentives which include “one stop shop” approach to licence approvals, tax concessions and waivers of various levies for personnel and equipment is expected to encourage both local and international film makers to use locations in Kenya for their productions.