Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has challenged Eastern African region governments to enhance regional cooperation and strengthen their partnership and coordination with the aim of contributing to justice, security and health for their citizens.
Mr. Musyoka said it was time for such governments to resolve to coordinate their respective national and regional responses to transitional threats and straighten the effectiveness of the criminal justice to make them fair, humane and consistent with various United Nations and African Union conventions, protocols, standards and norms.
Speaking during the Regional Ministerial Conference on Promoting the Rule of Law and Human Security at the Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi Tuesday, the VP assured of Kenyan support for national, regional and international programmes that seek to improve security, rule of law, health and the living conditions of the people.
" This meeting comes at an opportune moment as the issues discussed are of pertinent importance to our countries and have direct bearing on the growth, development and security of Africa,'' said Mr. Musyoka.
He said the meeting also lays a foundation for coordinated and comprehensive approach to the many challenges that impede the continents overall development, ranging from corruption, drug abuse, HIV/Aids, human trafficking and migrant smuggling.
Other challenges facing the continent include small arms and proliferation, money laundering to organized crime, terrorism, piracy and environmental degradation.
Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs Minister Mr. Mutula Kilonzo thanked the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for the support on the prison, health and judicial systems and the promotion of the rule of law in the region.
The Executive Director, UNODC Mr. Antonio Maria Costa said that the region was under threat of crime and drugs due to conflicts, poverty and lack of rule of law.
He noted that weak institutions due to underdevelopment is being used by criminals, noting that the region was notorious for drug trafficking.
Mr. Costa urged countries to react swiftly as the region was being used by the international organized crime cartels.
He noted that heroine from Afghanistan was being trafficked into the region, saying piracy was affecting not only trading activities but also the tourism sector.
Present at the two- day forum were assistant minister for Justice, William Cheptumo, Permanent Secretaries Dr. Ludeki Chweya (Home Affairs) and Amb. Amina Mohammed (Justice).
Others were High Commissioners, Ambassadors, Ministers from Uganda, Djibouti and Somalia, Experts and representatives of development partners.
Later, the Vice President launched organic products made from coffee, tea, water hyacinth among other plants at the Gospel Tabernacle Church South B.
The products were invented by Dr. Simon Njoroge Mwaura HYAQUIP.
Mr. Musyoka urged Kenyans to appreciate the work of scientific breakthrough and celebrate those behind such inventions.
He urged Dr. Mwaura and the rest with personal productions to engage legal experts who should assist them to register and secure their inventions in order to deter other people from claiming them.
The Vice President assured that the government will stand by Kenyans who come up with new inventions and would assist in securing protection.
Mr. Musyoka said the new organic fertilizer had been used by farmers in some parts of the country and had produced wonderful results.
Bishop Dr. Charles Muyu urged Kenyans to start using organic fertilizers since conventional fertilizers are destroying the lives of Kenyans, saying farmers should change their farming.
