President Uhuru Kenyatta paid glowing tribute to soldiers fromEast Africa region for being good ambassadors in sports and peace keeping missions.
Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta
Uhuru was speaking after opening this year’s East Africa Military Games and Cultural Event, which started yesterday at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
“I’m delighted to observe that you have been a source of pride and inspiration to the rest of the citizens. I can assure you that our governments appreciate your form of patriotism and effort and will always be ready to support you,” he said.
Uhuru said the games continue to foster peace and solidarity in the region and Africa at large, adding that such efforts form part of a desire to promote regional peace.
The President also thanked the East Africa Heads of States for honouring Kenya by allowing their sportsmen and women in the defence forces to take part in this year’s event, which Kenya is hosting for the second time.
Team building
“On behalf of all Kenyans, accept my deep and heartfelt appreciation. I’m pleased to note that this event is one of the many activities used as a tool of confidence building and fostering solidarity amongst our regional Defence Forces,” he said.
He urged Kenyans to turn up in large numbers to watch the two-week games, which brings together military sportsmen from Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya,Tanzania and Burundi.
He also challenged the participants to use the games to demonstrate how sports can cut across both racial and cultural divides and asked them never to neglect their duty of promoting peace and solidarity.
“In any case history shows that the East African Community has been one region with the indigenous populace sharing common ancestral history and had no prohibition of goods and people moving around,” the President continued.
He further thanked the Chiefs of Staff from partner states for their dedication towards the realisation of the East Africa Community Cooperation in the Defence aspect of the memorandum of understanding geared towards building confidence and solidarity in the region.
“I have no doubt that the MoU in cooperation in Defence is one of the most successful and exemplary programmes in the East Africa Cooperation integration process.
“This effort will definitely facilitate the fast tracking and handling of our common problems of security such as terrorism, poaching and cattle rustling, which can pose a threat to regional stability.
“Stability remains the most critical ingredient to the future development and prosperity of our community. Let’s therefore stand guard and ensure peace that now reigns through the nations of EAC bloc is safeguarded,” concluded the President.
A large crowd turned up to support Ulinzi Stars, who are Kenya’s representatives in the games in football as they were playing in their opening match against defending champions Uganda’s People Defence Force.
By GILBERT WANDERA and REBECCA GICHANA, The Standard