President Uhuru defends KDF involvement in Government projects – KBC

President Uhuru Kenyatta has hit out at those criticising the Government for its engagements with KDF saying it is doing a good job. 

The President said the Government will not succumb to the noise from a section of political leaders and other organisations saying they will continue serving Kenyans by launching development projects across the Country. 

He said the Government decided to engage KDF to revamp the Kenya Meat Commission to save the institution from collapsing and to save the players in the sector from losses.

The President noted that KDF had demonstrated good work ethic in their service to the nation, especially in the revival of key infrastructural and economic projects, saying their efficiency has saved the country large sums of money.

“I only wish our civilian operators, our civilian administrators if they could only do a quarter of what is being done by Kenya Defence Forces then Kenya will be transformed,” President Kenyatta said.

President Uhuru said the move has proved a huge success amid criticism from some people reiterating that the Government will not hesitate to engage KDF in other projects. 

He said the previous regime’s attempt to revamp KMC was a failure and ended up wasting Government resources. 

“Those making noise, continue making noise we will continue working, we will not lose focus,” He said

President Uhuru said the attacks on KDF are unwarranted saying they are also Kenyans and can play a role in development.

“Those complaining about KDF being awarded projects to an extent of seeking court interventions should understand that KDF are Kenyans who deserve equal opportunity needless to say that the same hand that carries a gun is the same hand that can handle a hoe,” President Kenyatta said.

“Am proud that working with KDF, Kenya railways among others we have been able to revamp the Kisumu port,” He said. 

President Uhuru spoke in Kisumu during the commissioning of the Kenya Shipyard Limited, the keel laying Ceremony as well as the flagging off of MV Uhuru II on its 51st voyage. 

KSL is a Kenya government owned nascent ship building and repair facility. It was borne out of the need for a maritime facility that can be able to repair, maintain, refit, construct ships and provide other maritime services.

“This is a dream our forefathers had but died because of our weaknesses. We have started to revive the dream so that our youth will have good jobs. This dream is being actualized because of the peace we have,” the President said.

KSL mandated to lead and catalyze the introduction of the new ship building industry in Eastern Africa with a focus on meeting the local demand from 

Kenya Navy, Ministries, Departments and Agencies with maritime assets,  public, private, domestic and regional clients.

The keel laying of a ship is one of the most significant dates in the life of a ship. It marks the formal recognition of the start of a ship’s construction. 

The ceremony is symbolized by welding the first metal surface of the ship to signify its birth. 

Keel laying is always accompanied by a special ritual ‘Coin Ceremony’, where a coin is welded or inscription inscribed on the keel so as to bless and bring good fortunes to the ship. The keel is the first part of any ship that is constructed. 

MV Uhuru on the other was refitted by a team from Kenya Defence Forces and successfully made its first voyage to Uganda to deliver oil. The ship can also deliver packaged cargo. The ship is designed to transport twenty-two (22) wagons per trip an equivalent of one million litres of crude oil with a crew capacity of 24 persons.

“With an international airport, a pier, and a railway station, this city (Kisumu) will actualize the vision that the founding fathers of our three East African nations had in the East African Cooperation,” the President said.

President Uhuru Kenyatta was accompanied by his Burundi counterpart Evariste Ndayishimiye who arrived in the Country this morning.

President Evariste will be the guest of honour during the Madaraka Day celebrations slated for tomorrow in Kisumu County.

Chief of Defence Forces General Robert Kibochi also spoke at the event which was attended by former Prime Minister and ODM leader Raila Odinga, Cabinet Secretaries, service commanders and other senior government officials.