ALFRED MUTUA SPEECH FOR THE NATIONAL LAUNCH OF MAENDELEO CHAP

CHAP - INAWEZEKANA NA ITAWEZEKANA.

AUGUST 25, 2016 at Bomas of Kenya, Nairobi.
At the the coastal shores of Kenya, there is a village in Bate Location, Dagamra
division of Malindi, in Kilifi County. From this small village, a man by the Name
of Thomas Johnson Kuto Kalume was born while Kenya was still colonized by the
British.
On a day, exactly like today, in August, 1964, Kalume found himself standing in front of
Kenya's founding father Mzee Jomo Kenyatta presenting words and a Pokomo tune.
The music that he was presenting to the then Prime Minister Kenyatta had interesting
lyrics:
Ee Mungu nguvu yetu
Ilete baraka kwetu
Haki iwe ngao na mlinzi
Natukae na udugu
Amani na uhuru
Raha tupate na ustawi.
I Can visualize Mzee Jomo Kenyatta turning to his council of Ministers - the likes of
Tom Mboya, Dawson Mwanyumba, Eliud Mwenda, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and
Joseph Otiende saying;
"Nduguzanguni, hii ni shwari," then turning to Kalume and his fellow composers such
as George Senoga-Zake, Peter Kibukosya, Washington Omondi & Graham Hyslop,
said, "Endelea"
Amkeni ndugu zetu
Tufanye sote bidii
Nasi tujitoe kwa nguvu
Nchi yetu ya Kenya
Tunayoipenda
Tuwe tayari kuilinda
These words that comprise our national anthem were chosen exactly 52 years ago
today. Our founding fathers were excited and they asked for the words to be sung so
that they could hear the tune. And like all of us now, maybe on that August day, they all
stood up and in one voice sang. Hata sisi tusimame tuimbe Kifungu cha kwanza cha
WIMBO wetu wa Taifa Pamoja.
Ee Mungu nguvu yetu
Ilete baraka kwetu
Haki iwe ngao na mlinzi
Natukae na undugu

Amani na uhuru
Raha tupate na ustawi.
Today we are reflecting on these words that are the pillars of the foundation of our
nation as we introduce a new consciousness. A consciousness that says that we are not
where we are supposed to be. A consciousness that declares that Kenya and Kenyans
are great and it is possible to get back on the tracks that we were on when our founding
fathers approved the words of our national anthem. A consciousness that introduces a
new way of doing things and a new path, indeed a new road, for us to take to achieve
amazing prosperity.
This new and amazing way is called Maendeleo Chap Chap.
Today I want to take you on a journey. A journey that transforms disenchantment to
hope. A journey that replaces fear with happiness, a journey that fights poverty with
prosperity. A journey that says it is possible for this beautiful country that we love so
much to rise to greater heights and for the lives of each and everyone of its children to
improve drastically.
Inawezekana Na ITAWEZEKANA.
Three days ago, I celebrated my birthday. I called my parents and told my lovely Mother
thank you for bringing me to this world and taking care of me from the time I was a child
until I could stand on my own.
The reality is that I never sent a postcard to ask to be born in Masii, Machakos as a
Kamba. No one sends a postcard to ask to be born a Luhya, a Kikuyu, a Kisii, a Somali,
Hindu, a Maasai, a Meru, a Mijikenda or any ethnic background. You are born into a
community, and like any other person you are a child of God and if born in Kenya, you
are a Kenyan.
Our children run after each other in schools, rolling on the ground, jumping up and
down as they play Kati or score a goal during football. They do not care what tribe one
was born into. When they fall sick, we rush them to the nearest health centre and they
do not care what tribe the doctor, the nurse comes from.
Tribalism is not a way of life but has been institutionalized by our political class to
become a reference for our interactions. Maendeleo Chap Chap is ushering in a new
consciousness that says, it does not matter where you were born or what your parents
back ground is - you are first and foremost a Kenyan. Yes, Our various cultures and
traditions based on ethnic backgrounds are very important but they should not, actually,
they should never be the basis upon which we make decisions about the other.
I am pleased that in this national delegates convention of the friends of Maendeleo
Chap Chap movement we have the face of Kenya. I see you delegates from Migori
County, from Isiolo county, from Taita Taveta, from Nyeri County, from Bomet county,
from Kakamega county, from Meru County, from Mandera county, from Makueni county,

from Mombasa county, Kisii county - the land of bananas, from Tana River County, from
Kiambu county, from Tharaka Nithi, from Embu county, from Transnzoi, from Kisumu
County, from Nandi county, Homa Bay, Wajir, Laikipia County from Kwale county, from
Narok county, from Nyamira county, indeed from each of the 47 counties that make our
beautiful country Kenya.
I thank you for traveling long distances so that together we can change the way Kenya
thinks and the way Kenya works.
Today is your day. I have deliberately not invited politicians to this national Maendeleo
Chap Chap launch. This is because Maendeleo Chap Chap is a people-centered
movement and today is a day for Mwananachi. Politicians, elected leaders, are very
important and I will soon be holding a special forum for them, as we make a major
announcement.
Sasa wachache tuongee ukweli wa mambo.
Today there was a memorial service of a great man, a relative and friend, Prof. Dinguri
Mwaniki. Just the other day, I was with other relatives as we received the body of
another friend and relative Mzee John Mbithi Kimeu. These great men, like many other
Kenyans who pass away are gone forever. They are no more and will never walk on this
world again. Their Life is what they experienced and what they saw while they were
alive.
Kila mmoja wetu tunazaliwa, tunaishi Na siku Moja tutaondoka. Baada YA Kuondoka,
utaenda mahali ulijipangia.
Ukweli wa mambo ni kwamba, Maisha ni haya tunayoshi Leo. HAYA Maisha Sio
mazoezi, sio Tizi. Ukienda haurudi.
Basi kama Maisha ni HAYA, ni KWANINI uishi Maisha YA Mateso, umaskini, vumbi,
Njaa na SHIDA tupu, Ukiwa inawezekana uishi Maisha bora?
As someone once put it, Today is the oldest you have ever been. Today is also the
youngest you will ever be. Life is fleeting. What you have today is what you have. If it is
possible for you to live quality life today, why wait until tomorrow?
In 1978, when Mzee Jomo Kenyatta died, Kenya was economically at the same levels
as South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore. Today, however, these countries
today form the tiger economies.
Even though we were at par not so long ago, these Nations are in the second world, are
so rich and advanced that they are loaning us money and giving our students
scholarships - and yet a few years ago, we were even richer than some of them. Surely,
surely, surely, all cannot be said to be well.

Ni kwanini binadamu wengine ng'ambo, ambao ni kama sisi waishi Maisha mazuri
wakiwa hai na sisi tuishi Maisha Mabaya? Hao wakifa Leo hawarudi. Wewe ukifa Leo,
haurudi. Mbona ngamb'o watoto wao wawe na viatu na watoto wetu watembee miguu
tupu? Ni kwanini wawe na barabara za lami, mfereji wa maji, kazi na afya bora, na sisi
hapa tuwe tunakula vumbi, MAJI machafu YA mto, matibabu YA shida na upungufu wa
kazi?
Kwani hao waliumbwa na Mungu na sisi tukaumbwa na sheitani?
Ukweli wa mambo ni kwamba sisi tunateseka Kwa sababu YA SHIDA za kujiletea.
We are not poor because we lack resources and ability, we are poor despite resources
and ability.
From my assessment Kenya suffers from four main evils or enemies of development:
Lethargy, outdated Bureaucracy, corruption and Politics of poverty.
Let us begin with lethargy. In Kenya, Ofisi za Serikali ndio zenye huduma ya pole pole,
Ndio zenye choo chafu, mijengo michafu na ulegevu wa kazi. There is a culture of
impunity and don't care attitude that has unfortunately become a way of life, especially
in Govts. This lethargy means that things are done poorly and buildings are not
maintained. Quality of services is wanting. Roads have potholes, power blackouts are
common and no one is ever in a hurry. The attitude is, Why finish a project today if it can
wait? The realization that a delayed project means extended suffering for Mwananchi is
not there.
The second problem is outdated bureaucracy. Procedures are important but we have to
move with the times and use procedures for our benefit and not to block development.
Bureaucracy is used to slow development and increase poverty. Let me give you an
example. When I became Governor of Machakos in 2013, I quickly held an investors
conference and promised land to investors. We signed MOU's worth 2.8 trillion shillings.
Even our hardworking President Uhuru Kenyatta came to launch the investment
program. Since then, bureaucracy has delayed the projects and denied thousands of
Kenyan youth jobs. Investors who have been waiting for land in Machakos left, went to
Rwanda, others to South Africa, Angola and even Uganda where they were allocated
land, build their factories, hotels and malls bringing development and jobs and in
Kenyan land offices we are still conducting paper work in unending and frustrating
bureaucracy.
How are we ever supposed to catch up let alone bypass the tiger economies if we let
bureaucracy control our desires and plans for better livelihoods?
The other larger problem we face is corruption. I am convinced that the amount of
money we have, if spent well, would make us a very developed and rich country.
I hate corruption and hate thieves. When a Government official, when a leader, makes a
deal for personal enrichment, it means thousands have been denied their right and have

become poorer. When a contractor gives a bribe to get tenders, that bribe is passed on
to Mwananchi. Poor works are very expensive because of corruption. We construct one
kilometer where others are constructing 5 kms. We are not poor - we are just being
robbed.
You know, I at times feel sorry for my friend, our beloved President Uhuru Kenyatta. A
man I know to be upright, of integrity, and one who, like me, hates corruption. UK
inherited a system, and political machinery fashioned for over 50 years on corruption.
During the day, like a Shepherd tending his flock, he is busy working for Kenyans and
fighting graft. However, in the evening when he retires to rest, the watchmen he expects
to help him take care of his flock, engage in stealing the sheep. In every county, we are
also facing the same challenge.
From the highest offices to smallest corners of the Kenyan Governments, both national
and county, there is always someone cutting a deal, grabbing a plot, soliciting for a
bribe, hiding a file,demanding favours from contracts.
Hata uniforms na allowances za Olympics wanaiba. Hawa wezi KWELI hawana Aibu.
The last problem we face is politics of poverty. These are politics where instead of
uniting the country we engage in behavior of dividing our nations in power seeking
machinations, bad mouthing our country, engaging in hate speech and perpetuating
tribalism.
Politics of poverty does not concentrate on projects but political mileage. It is about
making the poor poorer and ensuring that problems never end. It is about being the
kingpin of suffering people.
We want to change all this using Maendeleo Chap Chap.
Maendeleo Chap Chap is a paradigm for speedy, efficient and people-centered
leadership and development processes.
Maendeleo Chap Chap inasema, kama wengine wanaweza, sisi pia TUNAWEZA:
INAWEZEKANA na ITAWEZEKANA.
POPOTE ULIPO KATIKA MCHI YETU, UKIWA NDANI YA MATATU, NYUMBANI,
HOTELINI HATA KAZINI.
TAFADHALI PINDUKA KWA YULE ALIYE KARIBU NA WEWE, MUANGALIE NA
UMWAMBIE:
MAENDELEO CHAP CHA - INAWEZEKANA NA ITAWEZEKANA.

MPINDUKIE MWINGINE, HATA UKIWA PEKE YAKO, JISEMEE PIA:

MAENDELEO CHAP CHAP, INAWEZEKANA NA ITAWEZEKANA
Ahsante.
For how long will we suffer while it is possible to be rich and comfortable?
We need to break this chain of poverty - we are tired of begging and want our country to
be where it should be.
You know, it is tragic that
- My great grandfather was born and found dust and no clean water;
- my grandfather was born and found dust and no clean water
- my father was born and found dust and no water
- I was born and found dust and no water
- my children were born and found dust and no water
For how long shall we pass this shame and hardship down the line? Yes we have made
some major strides but the truth is that we could be farther ahead than where we are.
Tukitumia Maendeleo Chap Chap, tumechimba boreholes Mpya 253 NA tutaendelea
mpaka zifike 1,000- INAWEZEKANA na ITAWEZEKANA.
Tumechimba dams 209 na that NA tutaendelea mpaka zifike 800,
River Dams tayari tuko Na 105, NA tutaendelea mpaka zifike 494: INAWEZEKANA NA
ITAWEZEKANA
Mpango wetu Sio eti kuwa na water kiosks, la, mpango wetu nikuleta mfereji wa maji
kwenye KILA boma. Watoto wakiamka, Mama, Baba akamba, Sio kutafutana na Mitungi
Bali ni kufungulia shower.
Mama akipimpikia MZee ugali halafu Ugande, Sio kutafutana na Mitungi, ni kufungulia
mfereji waaaa Na kuendelea Kusonga sima.
In Kyevaluki village in Kangundo, Machakos county, men and women have been
spending 8-15 hours daily looking and ferrying water. Over there recently, we have not
only dig a borehole but started Reticulating water to homes.

I recently visited a village in Kyevakuli in Kangundo to two two adjacent homes of Mzee Peter Mbindyo Kavoi and his neighbour Anna Nzilani Kitavi who for years have
suffered but now have water at home through Maendeleo Chap Chap.
The couple are here with us somewhere today. Inueni Mikono tuwaone.
Actually, Njooni hapa.
KWELI INAWEZEKANA NA ITAWEZEKANA
My fellow Kenyans, the Governments that we have had have done a lot for us. Many
men and women and leaders have moved this country from nearly nothing to where we
are today. Indeed, even the SGR railway line that we have always talked about is being
constructed by the Government of Uhuru Kenyatta.
However, it does not matter what one leader - may it be Mwai Kibaki or Uhuru Kenyatta
can achieve if the rest of us are not in it together. Rais Mwai Kibaki tunakuombea upone
Kwa upesi Ndio utoke HUKO HUKO, URUDI HAP HAPA TUKAE NA WEWE HUMU
HUMU.
As my good friend and brilliant man Francis Muthaura always said to me, We cannot be
people who pull down our country and expect it to develop. Surely, How can you claim
you want to change a country which you do not respect and which you insult and
criticize at every opportunity?
Kenya is a great Nation and this new consciousness, this movement that cuts across all
party lines will take it to the next level. To where it is supposed to be. We were not born
to suffer.
Our youth are tired of stories and want jobs Chap Chap.
We are tired of being scared as we sleep or as we go home at night from prayers or a
party - we want security Chap Chap
We are tired of power black outs and inefficient services - we want quality chap chap.
Kenyans are amazing and great people. As UK tells us, if we focus and work not for the
self but for the country, we can achieve much. I dare say, we can do this using
Maendeleo Chap Chap.
The other day, I was very pleased when, as a member a wiper member, I heard Cord
leader Hon. Raila Odinga told us that political disagreements between politicians should
not divide a country. Now we all need to walk the talk and instead of pulling apart, pull
together.

I call upon the youth - vijana Kama Mimi, wenye Nguvu YA kufanya kazi Na KULINDA
nchi yetu, wasichana Na Wananume, muwe marafiki wa Maendeleo Chap Chap.
Mama ZETU Na Wazee wetu, mtateseka mpaka lini? Nawaomba, mtuombee Na
Muunge Mkono mfumo huu wa Maendeleo Chap Chap. Haijalishe uko Chama KIPI cha
kisiasa, umezaliwa Wapi, Mapato yako, unaweza kuwa rafiki wa Maendeleo chap chap
Leo.
Hii Kazi tunayoifanya Sio kazi yangu au yako, ni kazi YA MWENYEZI Mungu ambaye ni
EBENEZER.
MAENDELEO CHAP CHAP INATAKA HII AIBU NDOGO YA WATOTO WETU
KUTEMBEA BILA VIATU NA KUPATA JIGGERS IISHE.
INATAKA TUWE NA MAPATO NDIO WAKIMBIAJI WETU WAACHE KUHAMIA
BAHRAIN,
INATAKA FEDHA ZA SERIKALI ZITUMIWE KUJENGA BARABARA sio Kuingia
MIFUKO YA WAFISADI
Yote yawezekana Kwa sababu Mungu wetu ni Ebenezer.
INAWEZEKANA NA ITAWEZEKANA na MAENDELEO CHAP CHAP
THE DREAMS OF OUR CHILDREN, OUR YOUTH, SHOULD NO LONGER BE
CURTAILED. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHERE YOU ARE, IT DOES NOT MATTER
WHAT TRIBE YOU ARE, WHETHER POOR OR RICH, GOD LOVES YOU AND IT IS
POSSIBLE FOR US YO TRANSFORM THIS COUNTRY, FOR YOUR LIFE TO
CHANGE WITH MAENDELEO CHAP CHAP.
The dreams we had at independence when Rev. Thomas Johnson Kuto Kalume and
his colleagues wrote our National Anthem, can be revived to bear more fruit than
what has been achieved. Truly:
Natujenge taifa letu
Ee, ndio wajibu wetu
Kenya istahili heshima
Tuungane mikono
Pamoja kazini
Kila siku tuwe na shukrani

IT IS NOW WITH GREAT PLEASURE THAT I WELCOME ALL OF YOU TO HELP ME

COUNT DOWN AS WE LAUNCH AND TAKE MAENDELEO CHAP CHAP TO EVERY
CORNER OF KENYA.
I request my sweetheart Lillian to join me.
PAMOJA - 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
End