Our first objective will be in the area of conflict resolution. as you may be aware Africa, the least developed continent has more internal conflicts than any other area of the world. This is at a time when foreign governments, international organizations and their agencies are showing fatigue in African conflicts. It is quite clear that no one is willing to come into Africa to fight our wars. We as Africans must resolve our own conflicts.
Africa has limited resources to engage in warfare and therefore we have to try to avoid conflict and resolve those conflicts we cannot avoid quickly and effectively. This is where i feel we can assist most. We plan to engage in conflict prevention and resolution by encouraging dialogue to avoid warfare in the first place, and to broker peaceful settlement of conflicts. We plan, further more, to be involved in the monitoring of peace once peace is achieved to avoid further outbreak of conflict.

In seeking to resolve conflict in our continent, the institute will work with other institutions and organisations involved in similar activities as well as governments.
The Moi Africa institute will also work with Kabarak University, which is in the process of setting up a faculty known as Africa centre for peace management and strategic studies.
The centre will provide the intellectual space for research into causes of conflict and early warning mechanisms to avoid war.

It will, in addition develop conflict resolution mechanisms and expertise. Mechanisms for maintaining peace once conflicts are resolved will be an important aspect of study. We expect students from Africa and beyond to enroll at graduate and diploma levels.
The university will further develop curriculum for in service and vocational training for humanitarian workers in conflict affected areas as well as training people involved in refugee management.

Ladies and gentlemen,
In addition to the formal mechanisms we seek to establish to handle conflicts, i will avail myself to assist in bringing together warring parties in conflict areas to work together. This is a task i feel i understand through the sheer amount of time I have spent engaged in various conflicts in our continent - ranging from Anyanya years in Sudan and the resolution of that conflict in 1972 to the later conflict which is still ongoing - to the conflicts in Chad, Angola, Congo, Somalia, Burundi, Ethiopia, Mozambique and so on. We were more involved in the resolution of some of these conflicts than in others. What we gained was an insight on the possibility to avoid the conflicts in the first place with proper negotiations and also the various reasons why people resort to violence as well as the mechanisms for dealing with specific situations. I look forward to using my experience and knowledge to advance the course of peace in our region and continent.

Ladies and gentlemen,
There was a time when we at the organization of African unity - as it was known then - and also at the commonwealth spent a great deal of time on decolonization. When the last country became free, a question was raised, usually by the media, on what these two organizations would do. Actually, decolonization was only a high profile agenda item in long and varied agenda of the two organizations. In the case of Moi Africa institute we are setting out with a wide agenda, which we hope to be engaged in simultaneously, and also in phases.
The stated principle of the Moi Africa institute is to assist in uplifting African people from distressful conditions caused by poverty, illiteracy, diseases, war and social instability.

The dangers of HIV/aids and tuberculosis as well as malaria cannot and should not be ignored by any one. Our continent is losing its most valuable resources - human beings - to these diseases. The institute hopes to work with others in our country and abroad to help in fighting these deadly diseases. In particular the institute plans to educate people on preventive measures such as use of nets in the case of malaria and the use of condoms in the case of HIV/aids though as you know, I personally advocate abstinence and observance of moral values. When we are able to and with the support of others, we will go further to help in sourcing for nets and medicine.

As a non-governmental organization, the Moi Africa institute will have limited capacity and resources to fulfill its objectives. it will work closely with our government and other governments, international organizations and agencies, institutions with similar objectives as well as individuals and organizations.
I am pleased to announce today that I have made a personal donation of twenty million Kenya shillings to the institute to enable it start it's operations. it is my hope that my friends and friends of African peace and development will support our efforts. Your support will be highly appreciated.

Ladies and gentlemen,
The Moi Africa institute has a board of directors. in selecting the board of this institute great care was taken to select Kenyans who have given their time and energy with distinction in the service of our nation and its people. I am confident that in this board, we have the best skills of leadership from these eminent Kenyans who will assist the Moi Africa institute to discharge its duties competently and effectively.

It is now my singular pleasure and honour to declare the Moi Africa institute formally launched.
Thank you every one for being here today.
Kabarnet Gardens Nairobi.
30th march, 2004