Terror, radicalisation hinder cohesion, Uhuru Kenyatta says

President Uhuru Kenyatta has said terrorism and youth radicalisation are a major challenge to cohesion in the society.

The President stressed the need for unity among Kenyans as well as the international community to fight the vices among other global crimes.

He spoke when he hosted an Iftar dinner for Muslim envoys from Africa, Asia and the Middle East at State House in Nairobi on Thursday evening.

“Youth being radicalised do not come from a particular community. No single nation can win this war. Nobody is safe, but we can be safe only if we unite,” said the President.

He assured the envoys that his government was willing to work closely with them and other like-minded people in addressing insecurity challenges facing the country and the region.

President Kenyatta welcomed the formation of a joint team of Muslim envoys and his government to work out a framework for tackling challenges facing the country.

CELEBRATING DIVERSITY

“I look forward to engaging with you not only during the holy month of Ramadan but at all times to share ideas and experiences on tackling the issues at hand,” President Kenyatta said.

He said Kenya had a lot to learn from the respective countries represented by the Muslim envoys, most of which had at one time or another suffered similar challenges facing Kenya.

The President said Kenya had since independence tolerated all cultures and religions and will continue fostering unity while celebrating its diversity.

Morocco Ambassador to Kenya Mr Abdelilah Benryane, who spoke on behalf of the other envoys, assured the President that their coming together was in realisation that the insecurity challenges in Kenya required unity of purpose and support.

He said the new joint programme between them and the Kenyan government would in the long term come up with tangible proposals and possible solutions to the challenges facing the country.

Mining Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala also addressed the meeting.