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Uhuru Kenyatta

NAIROBI. — Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta promised to focus on national unity, regional integration and enhanced security as the East African nation marked its 50th birthday in elaborate festivities in Nairobi. Kenyatta who graced the occasion at Safaricom Kasarani Stadium that was attended by leaders from Africa and beyond said Kenya’s national interest is anchored on regional and continental integration.

He said a united Kenya has tremendous potential for growth and development, saying Kenya is not just a collection of 42 tribes who have to live together but one nation assembled by divine providence and held together for the last 50 years by its common will and belief in a collective brighter future.

“We must remain, united as Kenyans, and, I underscore, it is not a matter of choice. The unity exhibited by the freedom fighters, regardless of their race, tribe, religion, or class should motivate our efforts to build a united, prosperous nation, devoid of ethnic or parochial divisions,” he said.

He appealed to all Kenyans to unite and cultivate bonds that will see the country rapidly achieve its development goals, paying glowing tribute to the country’s independence icons and the continent’s liberation heroes and heroines.

Kenyatta said all Pan-Africanists whose sacrifice and unity of purpose saw the liberation of the continent must be remembered.
He noted that along with Kenya’s founding President, Jomo Kenyatta, Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere of Tanzania, Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia, Algeria’s founding President, Ahmed Ben Bella and the legendary Nelson Mandela were visionaries who saw a united Africa as the foundation of a truly prosperous continent.

“We are proud of these great sons of Africa, and acknowledge their sacrificial role, which continues to shape our continent,” Kenyatta said.
He urged Kenyans to reflect on the sacrifices the freedom fighters made to liberate the country and emulate their patriotism.

“At a dark time, these heroes and heroines, peasants, menial labourers, clerks, traders, the youth and other ordinary people, chose, at an enormous personal cost, to take the just path for their nation,” he said.

He said citizens have to commit themselves to always defend the value of the country’s freedom and sovereignty that came at a high cost.
Saying freedom is meaningful when citizens shoulder their obligations to one another and diligently discharge them, the President called on Kenyans to treat each other with respect regardless of their cultural differences.

Kenyatta announced that Kenya will contribute to a brigade to be part of the Rapid Response mechanism as part of the Africa Peace and Security Architecture agreed during the last Assembly of AU Heads of State and Government.

He announced five new initiatives to deepen African unity including a visa to be provided to holders of passports from any African nation into the country for up to six months on the basis of reciprocity with the exception of cases when regional security may be under threat.
The president said Kenya will also champion the free movement of persons on the continent.

“Today, we announce that any African passport will obtain a visa on arrival in Kenya based on a principle of reciprocity. Under these arrangements, any African visitor may stay for up to 6 months. The only exception to this rule will be when regional security could be compromised,” he said.

He also announced his intention to deepen investments in other African countries and to offer technical support the continental Free Trade Agreement as part of these initiatives.

Kenyatta said Kenya is ready to partner with countries in the southern, central, western and northern regions, to fast-track the implementation of the recently adopted Continental Free Trade Area.

Deputy President William Ruto said Kenyans should honour its past leaders, adding that the government will partner with business people, public servants, civil society, the media to create a nation that works and to build a country that draws its strength from its diversity.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said he was grateful to Kenya for its fight for independence as other countries were granted freedom as a result of Kenya’s struggle, noting that Kenya’s peacefulness also benefitted the region. — Xinhua.