Lucas Barasa
2 June 2008
Nairobi — Prime Minister Raila Odinga Sunday promised the Government's intervention over high food prices.
Addressing Madaraka Day celebrations at Nyayo National Stadium, Mr Odinga termed the increased food prices a world phenomenon.
"We will find a solution," the Prime Minister said as a section of the crowd shouted that it should be found "now."
However, President Kibaki, who spoke after Mr Odinga, said the cost of living was rising globally, and the situation was beyond the Government's control.
Mr Odinga, who was highly cheered when he stood to speak, said Kenya's population increase from seven million at independence to 35 million, had led to some of the problems facing the country.
"Seventy percent of the people had not been born at independence; they didn't see colonial rule. Nairobi had 550,000 people, it now has three million. We now have many mouths to feed...
"The prices of maize flour are exorbitant," he said.
Mr Odinga said Sunday was an important day for the country as coincidentally it marked 45 days since the formation of the Grand Coalition Government and 45 years of self-rule.
The Grand Coalition Cabinet was inaugurated on March 17.
Mr Odinga said Kenyans should bury their differences following the formation of the new Government and end tribalism.
"The 42 tribes in Kenya should live as one," he said.
Protocol
Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka attributed the end of post-election violence to God's intervention.
"It is God who saved this country. It is time for reconciliation. Kenyans have decided not to fight again," said Mr Musyoka who invited Mr Odinga to speak before inviting the President.
There was no complaint of protocol hitches as witnessed before.
Speaking to journalists after the celebrations, Finance minister Amos Kimunya directed government officials to pool their resources and use one vehicle while attending functions to cut on costs.
"We should pull together. This is something that should be taken seriously," he said.
Mr Kimunya said other Kenyans should also share vehicles instead of travelling alone.
He said the Government was working on improving the capacity of National Oil Corporation to bring down oil prices.
The minister named tourism, information and communications technology, agriculture, commercial and service sector and security as sectors that the Government will focus on to achieve Vision 2030.
Kenya wants to be a modern industrialised country by that year.
In his speech, President Kibaki noted that Kenya had made impressive gains in fight against poverty, disease and ignorance since 1963.
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