Mr. Chairman, on behalf of my country, my delegation and my own, let me take this opportunity to congratulate IFAD as it marks its thirtieth anniversary. No doubt the Fund has contributed to the development of agriculture in Kenya as it fulfils its mission of enabling rural farmers to overcome poverty. This has been evidenced by the many programmes that have been funded through resources provided by the fund.

These programmes haves assisted our people to improve production thus improving their food security, incomes and livelihoods. These programmes have brought together government, farmers, financial institutions, non-governmental organizations and the private sector in forging a core partnership that has resonated with our governments’ policy of building strong public − private partnerships and the use of a sector wide approach in service delivery to the rural communities.

The agricultural sector continues to play a key role in Kenya’s economy accounting for 26% direct contribution to the GDP. For this reason, the government continues to lay emphasis on the sector and has initiated restructuring reforms. These reforms are detailed out in a road map to achieving a vibrant agricultural sector that is capable of ensuring food security, incomes and employments to its people. This key effort is clearly stipulated in two major policy documents namely the Strategy to Revitalizing Agriculture and the Vision 2030.

Mr. Chairman, we acknowledge with much appreciation the significant support and funding our country continues to enjoy from IFAD. Currently, IFAD is funding five major programmes that are addressing the challenges in arid lands of Central Kenya, Small Holder Dairy Development, Natural Resource Management, Small holder horticulture marketing, poverty reduction and improved livelihoods. These projects are funded to the tune of USD95.4 million. In addition to this, we have just concluded successfully another programme, the Eastern Province Horticulture and Traditional Crops Project whose funding from IFAD was USD10 million. As a country, we wish to register our appreciation to the Fund for the support we continue to receive.

Mr. Chairman, on behalf of my country, let me take this opportunity to express our gratitude for the honour and privilege that Kenya has been given by IFAD through the opening of a Regional Office, which will be responsible for programmes in the East and Southern Africa. We also wish to acknowledge with appreciation the establishment of the IFAD Kenya Country Office and the underlying benefits this had to the country as whole. We welcome the appointment of Ms. Rose Heraniah as the Country Programme Officer as well as other staff for this very important office.

No doubt this development in our country will go a long way in enhancing collaboration and supervision of the projects. The move will further improve project administration and will enable IFAD to work closely with the government and other stakeholders involved in project implementation. This way Mr. Chairman, we are positive that the impact of the projects and programmes will prove to work for the good of the rural poor to whom these projects are directed.

Mr. Chairman, Governors, Excellencies and distinguished delegates, as you are all aware, our country is currently going through a difficult period as a result of the post election disturbances. These conflicts have greatly affected agriculture in several ways including displacement of farming communities, destruction of crops and food stocks, infrastructure, transport and labour provision in the major sub-sectors of tea, sugar and horticulture.

Let me register our appreciation for the concern and sympathy we received in the wake of this problem. As a country, we appreciate the support we continue to receive from the International Community and it is our belief that this situation will come to an end soon so that we can get back to productive activities that will spur economic growth in all sectors.

The Kenyan people are indebted to and strongly support Mr. Kofi Annan, the former United Nations Secretary General who is leading a team of eminent persons and together are engaged in dialogue sessions between the Government and the opposition towards realizing a lasting solution.

As I conclude Mr. Chairman, we look forward to the establishment of a “Country Programme Management Team (CPMT) under the auspices of the Action Plan. This team will have the important role of guiding the design and implementation of IFAD supported programmes so that they are more focused and to ensure that the goals and objectives of the programmes are met.

Finally, Mr. Chairman, on this 30th anniversary, we wish IFAD all the best as it strives to undertake its mission of supporting the rural poor particularly in Africa to improve their production levels.

This gives many in Africa the chance to consider the Millennium Development Goals an achievable goal through the agricultural Sector.

Having fulfilled our pledge in the 7th replenishment and in spite of the challenges we now face as a nation to recover from the devastation caused by the recent disturbances, we undertake to stay on course and strive to honour our international obligations. This commitment will serve to improve the livelihoods of the rural communities of which our country is a beneficiary. We assure the Fund of the support of my government as we jointly undertake to improve the livelihoods of the rural communities.

I thank you