We must solve our own problems, Kenyatta urges Africa
President Uhuru Kenyatta shares a light moment with leaders from Lamu County when he witnessed the signing of a commitment to coexist at the Boma Hotel, Nairobi. A dispute over compensation of people whose land was taken for the construction of the Lamu Port South Sudan Ethiopia Project has led to a last-minute cancellation of President Kenyatta’s visit to the North Coast county. PHOTO | PSCU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
As countries gear up for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), President Kenyatta observed that the big ‘buzz’ is about ISIS while more serious issues in Africa like the Boko Haram in Nigeria, the crumbling of Libya, the terrorists in Somalia and Kenya have been pushed to the back seat.
He stressed the need for the continent to speak with one voice at the international arena for it to be heard.
“We need to share more so that when we go to international fora we speak with one voice that projects Africa’s collective position,” the President said.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has urged African countries to work together in finding solutions to challenges facing the continent.
He said African countries must pool their resources together – no matter how scarce they are – into joint efforts that will improve the continent.
“We can cry that the world is not helping us but we must first of all realize that nobody has an obligation to help us. The only people that have an obligation to help are ourselves. And that is where we must begin,” he said.
The President was addressing African Ambassadors and High Commissioners accredited to Kenya when he hosted them for a luncheon at State House, Nairobi.
He emphasized that African countries must begin to work jointly in research on things that affect the continent including the cure to diseases like Malaria and Ebola.
“We cannot wait for people out there to come and give us a solution to Malaria. Malaria does not affect them, it affects us. To them, it is only a sideline business. We need to put resources behind our own researchers to come up with solutions to these problems,” the President said.
TERROR
As countries gear up for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), President Kenyatta observed that the big ‘buzz’ is about ISIS while more serious issues in Africa like the Boko Haram in Nigeria, the crumbling of Libya, the terrorists in Somalia and Kenya have been pushed to the back seat.
“What happens in Libya should not be something that is pushed aside. It is our problem and we must find a solution to it,” President Kenyatta said.
The President said he is keen for African countries to work together because they have the responsibility to determine the continent’s destiny.
He stressed the need for the continent to speak with one voice at the international arena for it to be heard.
“We need to share more so that when we go to international fora we speak with one voice that projects Africa’s collective position,” the President said.
The President added that African countries must not allow the artificial boundaries place by colonialists to divide them.
Deputy President William Ruto challenged the envoys to work together towards accelerated social economic growth through improved intra-Africa trade.
The Deputy President pointed out that the national boundaries can be converted into bridges to connect people and facilitate free movement of goods and services.
“Borders should not act as obstacles to movement of people. Your leadership will determine how the potential in Africa can be tapped for the benefit of the continent and the world,” Mr Ruto said.
