Transport Minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere said over the weekend that the coalition government in Kenya was stable despite what was portrayed in the press.”Sasa tuko katika hali ya kusikizana ki sawa sawa (we are in the process of being in agreement)”. The Minister was speaking to Kenyans in Minnesota gathered to celebrate Madaraka day at a local park. He is in the country to be part of the inaugural flight to Nairobi by Atlanta based Delta Airlines on June 2.

Minnesota was his first stop in the county at the request of Kenya's ambassador to the U.S. Peter Ogego. Ambassador Ogego three years ago declared that official Madaraka day celebrations will be held in Minnesota, a tradition he has stuck to.

Speaking mostly in Swahili, minister Mwakwere said he was optimistic that a new constitution will be in place by 2011 in readiness for the 2012 general elections. Sticking to the script of all Kenyan politicians whenever they speak to Kenyans in the diaspora, he declared that dual citizenship was being given serious consideration. “Ni a tunayo (the will is there)”. Without elaborating, he said calls for dual citizenship will be included in the new constitution as it “is what the people want’.

Hundreds of Kenyan-Americans listened as the minister reiterated the importance of Madaraka day saying that even in the current political climate in Kenya, occasions such as the one being observed have come to be occasions to come together as one despite political differences.

Other than briefly briefing those present on the political situation back in Kenya, most of the minister’s remarks centered on recent developments at his ministry. Among the initiatives he mentioned included the construction of a new port in Lamu to serve landlocked Ethiopia saying the funds for the project are already available. The new port will supplement Kenya’s biggest port. Mombasa. 

As he spoke of the developments on the new port initiative, a Kenyan, Gichiri Ndua, a Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) corporate Services manager was just last week picked as president of the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) becoming the first African to get that position. He takes over from Mrs Datin Paduka Phang of Malaysia.

The minister also spoke at length on the ambitious Nairobi metropolitan plan that aspires to transform Nairobi into a modern metropolis.  Although that major initiative is not managed by his ministry but the Ministry of Nairobi Metropolitan Development, his ministry has to work closely with that relatively new ministry as transport is a major component of the plan. Last December when President Mwai Kibaki unveiled the Nairobi Metro 2030 plan, the cost to implement it was pegged at US$ 423 billion. Nairobi Metro 2030 is part of the bigger Vision 2030 that plans to develop metropolitan regions across the country. Minister Mwakwere during his remarks in Minnesota said the plan once implemented will solidify Nairobi’s position as the economic hub of the region and radically transform Nairobi into a major economic force.

Ambassador Ogego in commending the local organizing committee for Madaraka day celebrations said his embassy is willing and ready to engage the Kenya diaspora on substantive issues “and not petty ones”. He also handed out certificates of appreciation from the embassy to local Kenyans in Minnesota that he said have exhibited exemplary community service. As in previous Madaraka day visits, the ambassador was accompanied by embassy staff who renewed passports onsite.

Also making brief remarks at the celebration was a representative from the office of US Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota.

The hundreds of Kenyan-Americans who turned out were later treated to a soccer match between Kenyans and Ugandans in which Kenya lost 2-1, after good natured ribbing between both teams’ fans about the disputed Migingo island.