EU’s support for Kenya knows no bounds

I feel an immense privilege and pride today in celebrating Europe Day here in Kenya. This is not just for my unquenchable Euro-enthusiasm but also because of greater convergence between the values that we uphold with the Pan-Africanist foundations Kenya pursues: Democracy, inter-ethnic cooperation, free trade, regional integration and respect for diverse people’s rights and dignity.

My grandparents saw the best of their adult life stolen by two world wars while both of my parents were 20 in 1943, when Europe fell into its darkest horror. Accordingly, our forefathers set themselves on translating “Never Again” into solid foundations. Those foundations, and the shape they took over the past 61 years, are called the European Union. Any doubt about it should be measured against the most fundamental of all of its achievements: We effectively abolished war as a way to settle our divergences and disputes.

FUNDAMENTAL VALUES

The EU is solidly founded on some fundamental values: Democracy, rule of law, universality of human rights and of fundamental freedoms, respect for human dignity, principles of equality and solidarity and respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter and International Law. This is also why we support Kenya in the strengthening of the UN headquarters in Nairobi.

Unity and diversity, as President Uhuru Kenyatta said last week, are at the heart of Kenya. Unity in diversity is, in fact, the EU’s very motto, binding together our 28 nations. President Kenyatta’s handshake with Mr Raila Odinga bridged political and ethnic divides and provides renewed hope that Kenya is back on the path to delivering to its people the prosperity and happiness they deserve. In that endeavour, the EU is, definitely, Kenya’s most reliable partner today.

The EU aligns its development assistance to Kenya’s policy framework. Of the four flagship projects that the President mentioned last week, two — the Last Mile Connectivity and the Isiolo-Moyale road — are funded by the EU. We fully support the ‘Big Four’ agenda, which focuses on food security, manufacturing, universal healthcare and affordable housing.

DEVOLUTION

The EU also fully endorses Kenya’s devolution process at both government levels: National and county. The IDEAS programme, which we fund, will provide grants to 15 counties for local economic development.

In addition, the EU is this month launching the “She Is We” campaign — a call for gender equality around the world which aims to promote women and girls at the forefront of sustainable development. It aims at highlighting the vital role that women and girls can play in society and the importance of their participation and leadership in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

The EU is publicising the work of individuals whose efforts are helping, empowering and protecting women and girls in their communities. Their stories will also be shared through social media (#SheIsWe) and the traditional mass media.

In Kenya, short clips about such individuals are being screened as part of the ongoing European Film Festival, bringing European cinema to a broad range of audiences until the last Sunday of May, free of charge.

FILM FESTIVAL

These areas of activity — the Big Four, gender equality and women’s empowerment, as well as the Film Festival — are just some of the ways in which the EU is working hand-in-hand with the national and county governments and Kenyans.

As Federica Mogherini, the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, says in her message today, Europe Day is not just a celebration but a commitment by all EU member states to work together with our partners in a co-operative way to strengthen multilateralism, peace, sustainable development, free and fair trade, human rights and democracy.

Mr Dejak is the Head of the EU Delegation in Kenya. [email protected]