OPENING REMARKS BY DR. EDWARD SAMBILI, CBS PERMANENT SECRETARY MINISTRY OF STATE FOR PLANNING, NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND VISION 2030 DURING THE MID TERM REVIEW OF THE FIRST MEDIUM TERM PLAN VALIDATION WORKSHOP HELD AT LAICO REGENCY HOTEL NAIROBI ON 15 TH FEBRUARY 2012

The UNDP Country Director, Maria-Threase Keating

Representatives of other Development Partners,

Representatives from Government,

Representatives from Private Sector,

Representatives from Academic and Research Institutions

Consultants from M. A Consulting Group

Colleagues

Ladies and Gentlemen;

Let me take this opportunity to welcome you to this Mid Term Review Stakeholders Validation Workshop which we have convened to share with you the findings of the Mid Term Review of the first Kenya Vision 2030 Medium Term Plan 2008-2012. The workshop also seeks to receive your input as key stakeholders to help enrich the report before it published and disseminated to the general public.

I have been informed that the draft report prepared by the Consultants was forwarded to you in advance in soft copy. Following this workshop the consultants are expected to finalize the report by the end of March 2012.The results and findings of the Report of the Mid Term Review of the MTP together with those from the Annual Progress Review (APR) Reports, MDG Status Reports, Annual Economic Surveys, and other review reports will serve as key inputs into preparation of the next MTP 2013-2017.

I note from the programme that there will be presentations highlighting the main findings and results under the following main sectors and areas:

The Macro Economic Framework

Foundations for National Transformation

Economic Pillar

Social Pillar

Political Pillar and;

Monitoring and Evaluation

The afternoon group discussion sessions organized along the six areas will provide an opportunity for the consultants to obtain detailed comments from sector stakeholders and experts.

Ladies and Gentlemen: In light of the importance of this workshop, I urge all of you to feel free to provide your comments and suggestions on areas in which the consultants can improve and finalize the Report. I would like to conclude by thanking all of you for finding time to attend this workshop. I also take this opportunity to thank M. A Consulting Group for their good working relationship and collaboration with my Ministry over the course of this project. Finally, I take this opportunity to thank the UNDP for providing the financial and technical assistance towards this project and many other projects being implemented by my Ministry.

Thank you