Former President Uhuru Kenyatta will now focus on continental peace-keeping roles after the inauguration of his successor, William Ruto.
In his first address after becoming Kenya’s fifth President on Tuesday, September 13, Ruto commended the outgoing Head of State on a commendable job ensuring peace across the region and confirmed that he will continue to chair missions across the Eastern Africa region.
President Ruto hailed Uhuru for spearheading peace initiatives in the Democratic Republic of Congo as well as in Ethiopia, and the continent at large.
“I commit, to peace initiatives in our region, including both in Ethiopia and in the Great Lakes Region, I have asked my elder brother, President Uhuru Kenyatta, who has done commendable engagements with those regions and he has graciously agreed to continue chairing those discussions on behalf of the people of Kenya.
“I have committed that the Government of Kenya and myself, in particular, will support those initiatives that will be chaired by President Uhuru Kenyatta,” announced Ruto.
President Ruto receiving the instruments of power from his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta
During the announcement, Uhuru showed gratitude by clinching his hands together to make a peace sign while appreciating Kenyans and those in attendance.
Uhuru oversaw the peace mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and facilitated its induction into the East African Community (EAC).
In June 2022, he ordered immediate deployment of the regional military to parts of the DRC to end hostilities and disarm warring groups.
He also directed all regional military commanders of respective Defence Forces within EAC to make haste and send their troops to DRC.
“The East African Regional Force shall be deployed to the Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu provinces immediately to stabilize the zone and enforce peace in support of the DRC security forces and in close coordination with MONUSCO,” Uhuru ordered at the time.
Two years prior, the outgoing President also dispatched his security team headed by Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i to Ethiopia to help end the dispute that has strained diplomatic ties between the two neighbors.
Uhuru’s effort in fostering peace across the region saw him bag the National Order of the Republic of Burundi award – the highest award of honor in the East African Country.
Uhuru has also been commended as an astute peace champion in Africa.
