DATE: 12TH DECEMBER 2024
Your Excellency, Dr. William Ruto,
President of The Republic of Kenya,
Your Excellencies,
Colleague Heads of State,
Your Excellency, The Deputy President,
Honourable Speaker and Members of Parliament,
The Lord Chief Justice of Kenya,
Members of The Diplomatic and Consular Corps,
Service Chiefs and Senior Public Officials,
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Brothers and Sisters,
I am profoundly excited to be in this blessed land, as Guest of Honour, to join you in celebrating the historic 61st Independence Anniversary of the Republic of Kenya, nationally known as Jamhuri Day.
On behalf of the Gambian people, I congratulate you all on this auspicious occasion and convey to you our sincere wishes of sustained progress, peace, and stability.
Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
As we celebrate and reflect on the journey of this illustrious nation since 1963, we are bound to pay tribute to the visionary leadership and tenacity of her founding fathers.
The words of the renowned Kenyan hero, Jomo Kenyatta, amply reflect this when he said: “We must unite to build a new nation.” This patriotic call to unity remains as relevant today as it was decades ago, not only for Kenya but also for the entire African continent.
Indeed, Kenya's declaration of freedom as a democratic republic was a historic milestone and a beacon of hope and inspiration for many African nations, and these included The Gambia. The people’s journey to freedom was difficult, but it paid off in shaping the political landscape of East Africa. More significantly, it remarkably influenced liberation movements for self-determination across the continent.
Since attaining political independence, the Republic of Kenya has continued to take giant steps on democratic governance, peace, and security in the region. Today, Kenya remains an important powerhouse and a key player on the continent’s integration agenda. The lesson is that Africa has to be similarly determined to rise and shine as a towering global force.
Your Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
As Kenyans, your diplomatic journey has earned your nation a respected voice in matters affecting our continent and beyond. The strides you have made in addressing issues of climate change, trade, peace, security, and development have set an acknowledged precedent for emulation.
On economic collaboration and integration, the trade relations between Kenya and various African Nations exemplify the spirit of Pan-Africanism we all cherish. Kenya's dedication to peacekeeping in Africa and other parts of the world, as demonstrated by your current peace-keeping mission in Haiti, and the fight against terrorism are a testament to the nation’s commitment to peace and stability for a prosperous and integrated Africa.
Your Excellency, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Culturally, Kenya has contributed significantly to the African identity. The beautiful cultural diversity and traditions of Kenya have enriched African society, while fostering understanding and respect among various ethnic groups on the continent.
All these correspond with the aspirations of the founding fathers of Pan-Africanism in Africa. We must admit, however, that those aspirations are still unattained. The question then remains: What else must we do collectively so that future generations would absolve us like the heroic leaders of the past?
Frankly put, our challenge lies in finding a solution to the persistent paradox of under-development within an enabling context of enormous resources and potential for rapid advancement. Mr. President and Dear Brother,
The Republic of Kenya and The Gambia have much in common, in terms of history, culture, and colonial experience. It is little wonder, therefore, that we are celebrating together the National Day of this great nation, the Pride of Africa.
Looking forward, there is ample scope for our two countries to explore and deepen our bilateral relations in the mutual interest of both countries.
There is also much to learn from each other's experiences and mutually leverage our respective strengths to our advantage. Specifically, numerous opportunities exist for broader collaboration that would result in shared growth, marked by advancements, for example, in innovation, technology, agriculture, and education.
The Gambia is committed to good governance, which makes us open and able to collaborate and cooperate closely with the Republic of Kenya and other African countries.
Your Excellency, President Ruto, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
The occasion accords us the opportunity to reaffirm our collective commitment to the ideals of Africa’s Pan-Africanist founding fathers - unity, solidarity, and cooperation. Together, let us work towards a better future, characterised by economic prosperity within our uniquely peaceful, stable, and socially diverse but harmonious communities.
While the Day allows for testimonies on Kenya’s glorious contributions to the geo-political landscape of Africa, it also requires us to look into the future with stronger determination to reposition the continent better and work for global peace.
The African context and its structures, resources, and people, amid the urgent need for transformative action, make this goal attainable.
This suffices to inspire us further. With this realisation, being more constructive and productive will serve us best, if we remember that civil and legal ways of settling differences are much better alternatives than disunity and acts of destruction. Once again, I heartily congratulate you all on the 61st anniversary celebration of your well-deserved National Day. Be assured that you are not only observing a significant day in your history, but also honouring the enduring spirit of a nation that continues to inspire, uplift, and strengthen Africa. We encourage you to move on united.
Long live Kenya-Gambia relations!
Long Live African Solidarity!
Asante Sana, and God bless the Republic of Kenya.
