NAIROBI – President Uhuru Kenyatta has commended the country’s constitutional commissions and independent agencies for effectively carrying out their mandates.
Recalling that since their establishment under the 2010 Constitution of Kenya, Constitutional Commissions and Independent Offices have proven to be important pillars of sovereignty and democracy, the President called on them to continue to work closely together to advancing the hopes, aspirations and dreams of Kenyans.
“Although independent and not under the direction and control of any person or authority, your commissions and offices are still part of the Kenyan government and the people of Kenya expect you to work in synergy with the rest of the government to realize the hopes, aspirations and dreams of our people,” President Kenyatta said.
President Kenyatta was speaking today during a meeting with heads of constitutional commissions and independent office holders, who paid him a courtesy call at the State House in Nairobi.
Speaking at the meeting, the Chairman of the Forum of Heads of Constitutional Commissions and Independent Offices, Gershom Otachi, praised the government’s support to their offices over the past 10 years.
Otachi also reassured Kenyans that the Constitutional Commissions and Independent Offices will play their rightful role in ensuring a smooth and peaceful transition to the next government in accordance with the law.
He briefed the President on celebrations to be held tomorrow to mark the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Constitutional Commissions and Independent Offices under the new constitutional dispensation introduced by Kenyans in 2010.
In this regard, President Kenyatta called on the Constitutional Commissions and Independent Agencies to use their anniversary celebrations to reflect and pledge to dedicate their efforts to the service of Kenyans.
“As a forum and as individual commissions and offices, I am confident that you will take this opportunity to also reflect on how you can better work together and capitalize on your common position as Chapter 15 commissions.
“In every word and action you take as commissions, you must promote the principles of governance and the national values embodied in Article 10 of the Constitution. Every word and every action you take should bring Kenya closer to a fairer, fairer and more prosperous nation,” President Kenyatta said.
The meeting, which was attended by the chairpersons of the Constitutional Commissions and Independent Offices, was also attended by Head of Civil Service Dr. Joseph Kinyua, Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i and Attorney General Paul Kihara.
