REMARKS BY DR. EDWARD SAMBILI, CBS, PERMANENT SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF STATE FOR PLANNING, NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT & VISION 2030 DURING THE OFFICIAL CLOSING CEREMONY OF INDUCTION OF ECONOMISTS/STATISTICIANS AT THE KENYATTA CONFERENCE CENTRE, NAIROBI ON THURSDAY,16TH SEPTEMBER, 2010

The Economic Planning Secretary, Mr. Stephen Wainaina,
The Snr. Director of Administration, Mr. John Nandasaba,
Chief Executive Officers of the Ministry SAGAs,
Heads of Directorates and Units,
Ministry staff,
The Newly Recruited Economists/Statisticians
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my pleasure to join you this afternoon to preside over the closing ceremony of this Induction Workshop for Economists/Statisticians. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you on your appointment and successful completion of the induction workshop which commenced on Monday, 6th September, 2010 and ends today.
I believe you have been adequately prepared and you are now ready to take your place in the development process of this nation. As you are, by now, aware, the core mandate of the Ministry of State for Planning, National Development and Vision 2030 is to facilitate and coordinate the national development planning process and provide leadership in national economic planning, policy formulation and management.

This ministry is expected to spearhead the Kenya Vision 2030 which is the new economic development blueprint covering the period 2008 to 2030. Its aim is to transform Kenya into a newly industrializing, “middle-income country providing a high quality life to all its citizens by the year 2030. Vision 2030 is predicated on three pillars, namely, economic, social and political.

The economic pillar aims at improving the prosperity of all Kenyans through an economic development programmes, covering all the regions of Kenya, and aiming to achieve an average GDP growth rate of 10% per annum beginning in 2012. The social pillar seeks to build a just and cohesive society with social equity in a clean and secure environment. The political pillar aims at realizing a democratic system founded on issue-based politics that respects the rule of law, and protects the rights and freedoms of every individual in the Kenyan Society. To help Kenya realize this vision you will be expected to anchor all your development Plans, Projects, Programmes and Budgeting process on the Vision.

You are expected to promote Rural Development through coordination of policies, programmes and projects that enhance capacity for growth. In addition, you are also expected to facilitate effective decentralization of planning and budget process from the sector Ministries to the Districts through the District Focus for Rural Development Strategy.

The Ministry of State for Planning and National Development and Vision 2030 plays a key and strategic role in the overall structure of Government administration in Kenya as spelt out in the Ministry’s Strategic plan from which you will be drawing your District development plans. I believe you must have been told that the promotion of Economists /Statisticians from one grade to next is governed by the Scheme of Service for Economists/Statisticians. Your progression from your present grade will be dependent on your work performance.

As Economists/Statisticians I strongly urge you to engage in continuous learning and regular training in order to advance in your career and work performance. This has become necessary given that the Government emphasizes Public Sector Reforms which have become a common phenomenon in this country. One of the key priorities of the Kenya Government is to implement and institutionalize Public Sector Reforms and Results Based Management that would lead to an efficient, effective and ethical delivery of service to the Kenyan citizenry.

This Ministry is in the process of seeking ISO 9001-2008 certification and it is our hope that we will be among the first Ministries to be ISO certified. ISO will enable us to enhance effectiveness and efficiency in service delivery in order to deliver value added and real time service to both our internal and external customers. We also expect ISO certification to, among other things, promote transparency and accountability in the management of the affairs of this Ministry at all levels in order to build lasting trust and relationship with our clients. You are, therefore, expected to understand and participate in the ISO certification process and comply with ISO procedures.

You are expected to perform your duties efficiently, conduct yourself with integrity and decorum that befits a reformed Civil Service. Your behaviour will be guided by the provisions of the Code of Regulations, Public Officers Ethics Act the Code of Conduct and Ministry’s Service Charter.

In conclusion, you will agree with me that Kenya continues to grapple with serious problems of unemployment, poverty and inequality, which must be addressed through more innovative and pragmatic development planning. I challenge you all to take a pragmatic approach that will enable us as a country to create more opportunities for employment, businesses and investments. In order to achieve this, you are expected to take personal initiative and be proactive in setting up a framework for addressing un-employment, poverty and equity through successful coordination of implementation of policies, monitoring and evaluation of Government projects and programmes.

Finally I wish you a successful and fulfilling career in this Ministry in particular and the wider Public Service in general.

Thank you and May God bless you