Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am pleased to join you today for the inauguration of the Institute of Machine Operators. Permit me to begin by expressing my sincere appreciation to the Kibera Education and Empowerment Programme for Girls (KEEP) for its efforts in advancing the welfare of Kibera residents and particularly women and girls.

May I also take this opportunity to thank all those organizations that have continued to support the activities of Kibera Education and Empowerment Programme for Girls. I single out for special appreciation Miserior Germany for their contribution to the success of the programme we are launching today.

Through the provision of vocational training, this programme will go a long way in empowering women and liberating them from the dangers associated with poverty. I take this opportunity to congratulate the girls and young women who have already taken advantage of the programme. I encourage others to emulate them.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

A majority of our urban residents dwell in informal settlements. Nairobi alone has over 2.5 million inhabitants, 60 per cent of whom live in slum areas. The living conditions in these slums, which include Kibera, have for many years remained below acceptable thresholds and have been steadily worsening. While the government's programme of upgrading informal settlements gets underway, the combined efforts of communities, Non Governmental Organizations and the private sector is needed in addressing the specific problems that affect the people who live in slums.

One of the key problems that need to be addressed is unemployment. While the problem of unemployment affects the entire society, it is more acute among urban residents who live in informal settlements. Current UN reports, for example, indicate that about 35%-40% of the population of Kibera is faced with either unemployment or underemployment. As a marginalized group in society, women have especially been hard hit by this problem.

Closely related to the lack of employment is the problem of HIV/AIDS. The lack of employment has pushed women and girls into prostitution as a means of earning a livelihood. This has exposed them to the danger of contracting the HIV/AIDS. In addition to this, there has been an increase in the incidence of orphaned children, unwanted pregnancies and abortions.

There is, therefore, an urgent need to come up with effective policies, geared towards creating economic opportunities for women. It is for this reason that I have made it a personal responsibility to champion the need for the combined effort of communities, NGOs and the private sector in helping women and girls to acquire skills that will enable them secure gainful employment. In particular, we must place great emphasis on the education of girls. Education will not only help girls to escape the dangers of modern day living, but will also make them knowledgeable family planners, competent mothers, informed citizens and self-confident individuals.

As regards HIV/AIDS, the situation in the country is still a matter of great concern. This is so because of the impact of AIDS on households and the national economy. Besides leading to the high incidence of orphans, AIDS has condemned households to poverty due to the loss of income as well the high costs associated with treatment of patients. While the Government continues to lead the war against HIV/AIDS, Kenyans should radically re-examine and change their sexual behavior. This is the surest way to safety and will involve abstention until marriage and faithfulness during marriage.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Drug abuse and trafficking is yet another problem facing slum dwellers. Many of our young people have taken to drugs as a way of escaping the grim realities of life. All too often, however, the use of drugs only complicates problems.

In almost all cases, the use of drugs has led to violence, reduced productivity at work, psychological damage and even death. We must, therefore, compliment the efforts of the government in fighting drugs. We must, as families and communities actively seek to eliminate the use and trafficking of drugs from our midst.

In conclusion, I commend Kibera Education and Empowerment Programme for Girls yet again for their efforts of empowering women. I take this opportunity to appeal for support to Kibera Education and Empowerment Programme for Girls from well-wishers.

With these few comments, it is now my pleasure to declare the Institute of the Machine Operators officially open and to wish the organization all the best.

Thank you and God bless you.