Deputy President William Ruto shares a joke with Education Cabinet
Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi during the laying of the foundation stone for
the University of Nairobi Towers at the institution on August 26, 2014.
President Kenyatta was the chief guest. PHOTO | EVANS HABIL |
NATION MEDIA GROUP
President Kenyatta has defended his
appointment of retired politicians and civil servants for public
positions, saying that age is not a disease.
Speaking
at the University of Nairobi during the laying of the foundation stone
for the University of Nairobi Towers, Mr Kenyatta said he will blend the
young and the old for improved delivery of public service.
“Young
people will take the majority of the jobs, but we will also have people
with experience to work with them,” the President said.
He
went on: “Where do you want us to take them? Kenya needs all people be
they disabled, women or the youth; we have to work together to take this
nation forward.”
DEALING WITH CORRUPTION
The
remarks come a week after he appointed retired politicians and former
ministers Sam Ongeri, Chirau Ali Mwakwere, Robinson Githae, and former
MPs Kiema Kilonzo and Sheikh Dor, among others, as ambassadors.
The
President also appointed Maj-Gen (retired) Gordon Kihalangwa Director
of Immigration and nominated Maj-Gen (retired) Jeoff Otieno as Kenya’s
ambassador to Egypt.
He said learning institutions should help fight graft and other social problems that affect the country.
“We
have to look for ways of dealing with corruption and change our moral
culture so that we do not see government jobs as opportunities of
corruption and chasing deals,” he said.
IMPROVE WORKING ENVIRONMENT
The
Head of State was accompanied by First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, Deputy
President William Ruto, Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi and
Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph ole Lenku.
He said that the government would improve the working environment for staff in higher institutions of learning.
However,
despite appreciating the good work of the teaching and non-teaching
staff , Mr Kenyatta said the issue of pay had now been left to the
Salaries and Remuneration Commission.
Mr Kenyatta
challenged the university to focus on building a strong cadre of
professionals, who will lead Kenya’s trade and industry,
entrepreneurship, service, research and innovation, public service and
technocracy into realising our potential as a nation.
He praised the Chandaria Foundation and other partners for contributing towards the project.
“There
is no reason why these grants cannot be supplemented by funds pooled
from their benefactors. My government would be only too happy to work
with benefactors who undertook projects of this kind,” the President
said.
He said the government and Kenyans expect their funds to be used in a most prudent and transparent manner.
The
tower that will have 22 floors will cost Sh2.5 billion and is expected
to be ready next year to create more space for students and lecturers.
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