Honorable Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament, distinguished participants:
It is a great pleasure for me to participate in this breakfast Forum on Land Reforms in Kenya. In fact, this event is one of my first formal engagements following the presentation of my credentials as Sweden’s Ambassador to H.E. the President last week. Land policy being one of the most crucial issues, it feels an appropriate start of my assignment here in Kenya, not least as Sweden is one of Kenya’s longstanding development partners, including in the land reforms process.
I would, however, like to start in Sweden’s capacity of Presidency of the European Union. In dialogue with Kenya and in policy declarations , the EU has underlined the importance that the Union attaches to implementation of the National Accord. The EU gives full support to continued efforts made by the AU Panel of Eminent African Personalities under the leadership of H.E Kofi Annan. His dialogue with Government, civil society and others during his current visit to Kenya should contribute to renewed efforts in achieving substantial and speedy reforms.
In order to ensure democratic development and prevent further conflict, the EU believes priority should be given to constitutional reforms, electoral reform, police and judicial reforms, to end impunity and fight corruption. The EU is deeply concerned that the Government of Kenya has been unable to establish a local tribunal to end impunity of perpetrators of the post-election violence. It is indispensable that Kenya cooperates fully and effectively with the ICC.
Land is one of the main reforms to be addressed under the National Accord, considered to be critical to the continued stability and prosperity of this country. The EU Presidency wishes to commend the approval by Cabinet of the national land policy document in June this year as an important milestone towards delivering on this commitment.
Yet in many ways, Kenyans feel that the reform process has not been fast enough and that politicians can do much more to speed up the process. This frustration is heightened by the fast approaching 2012 general elections and the fear of violence if reforms are not undertaken in time. There is little time remaining and I therefore urge you present here not to let Kenyans down.
The EU has reiterated its willingness to support the reform process.
Distinguished participants, Access to land, security of tenure and land management have significant implications to development. Worldwide, secure access to land for the poor and vulnerable is increasingly affected by climate change, violent conflicts and natural disasters, population growth and urbanization, and demands for new energy sources such as bioenergy.
It is notable that Kenya’s new long term national planning strategy, the Vision 2030, identifies land reforms as essential for the realization of the social-economic and political developments spelt out in the vision. These high level policy commitments should underscore the government’s commitment to land reforms and serve as a good indicator and guide to future national debate on this matter.
Sweden is convinced that good governance in land tenure and its administration can help to reduce poverty and achieve economic development. In contrast, weak governance has adverse consequences for society as a whole. For these reasons, many countries have embraced the development of suitable land policies to guide land reforms to promote, among other things, stakeholder inclusion, proper land use and food security for their citizens, men and women alike. Such reforms have a significant impact on development. I am glad to note that Kenya’s draft national land policy was reviewed and found consistent with the Framework and Guidelines for Land Policy in Africa adopted by the African Union in July this year.
And for those gathered here today, it is important to appreciate that land means different things to different people. These diverse perspectives are hard to manage and may be in conflict in many cases. The development of your national land policy must therefore be seen in the context of listening, noting, accommodating and harmonizing all these sectoral needs. Such spirit of consultations will deliver effective and efficient land reforms. It is for this reason that, in additional to supporting the government to undertake land reforms, we are also providing support to non-state actors within the land sector.
To conclude, I urge all the leaders gathered here today to participate and encourage informed and objective debate nationwide on the policy. We look forward to an early, vibrant, free and inclusive parliamentary debate of the relevant Sessional Paper before the implementation of the land reform. Kenyans have yearned for comprehensive land reforms for a long time. Sweden is a longstanding ally and friend of Kenya. Therefore, allow me to express my hope that you will be an inspiration and not let Kenyans down this time.
Thank you!