President Uhuru Kenyatta during Jamhuri Day celebrations. [Photo/PSCU]
President Uhuru Kenyatta led Kenyans on Tuesday to mark 54 years of self-rule after gaining independence from Britain at Moi International Sports Centre.
“Today we commemorate our 54th birthday,” said President Uhuru.
The President called upon all Kenyans to unite and cultivate bonds that will see the country rapidly achieve its development goals.He said Kenyans should embrace the unity exhibited by freedom fighters and regardless of race, tribe, religion or class, join hands to build a prosperous nation, devoid of ethnic or parochial divisions.
“The pursuit of politics for politics’ sake should be a thing of the past,” said the President. “We should not accept poverty as our fate, it is merely an outcome of wrong solutions. As President of Kenya, I am willing to engage all Kenyans, including my worthy competitors, in fashioning this new paradigm shift,” he added.
“This big shift will need all of us. It is our shared responsibility for all a good idea must always give way to a better idea. Form politics to prosperity said the Head of State.
President Uhuru Kenyatta pledged to dedicate his final term to achieving the “The Big Four Pillars”: food security, affordable housing, manufacturing and affordable healthcare for all.
“The big four will help people create jobs, to new lives of comfort and well being. That is the big life I have foreseen,” he noted.
Deputy President William Ruto thanked Kenyans who voted for them and their programme for the next five years stating that ‘they made history’.
“I thank those who gave us the mandate to lead the nation for the next five years. Uhuru Kenyatta is the only president to have won three elections under five years,” said Ruto.
“The journey ahead will now involve all of us. Nobody should be left behind. That journey must involve all Kenyans, all leaders, those in Government and those in opposition because we owe it to those who fought for our independence.” said the Deputy President.
“Our future will be greater than our present,” added Ruto.