Remarks · 7 December 2024
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my great privilege to welcome you all to the beautiful and historic coastal city of Mombasa and to Kenya. Hosting the 14th East African Community (EAC) Inter-Parliamentary Games is a tremendous honour for our nation. The numerous editions of these games stand as a testament to the commitment and determination of our people and their leaders to forge lasting unity and cooperation among the Member States of the East African Community. Equally important, these games provide an excellent opportunity to strengthen our spirit of solidarity and deepen the bonds of friendship as neighbours and partners.
Just last week, I had the honour of assuming the role of Chair of the Summit of East African Community (EAC) Heads of State in Arusha, Tanzania. As I pledged during that momentous occasion, my leadership will be guided by a vision for the EAC rooted in the ideals of deeper integration, economic growth, and shared prosperity. I am committed to championing the principles enshrined in the EAC Treaty, which unite and bind us. These principles include enhancing collaboration, fostering trade and investment, and improving the quality of life for the people of East Africa.
Ladies and gentlemen, the significance of these games transcends sport. They are a powerful symbol of our core values of unity, teamwork, collaboration, positive competitiveness, and shared aspirations. Beyond the realm of sport, these values extend to other fields of endeavour, including regional integration, collaboration, collective action, mutual respect, and dynamic partnerships in pursuit of common goals.
This spirit also enables us to seek and build strong and integrated institutions and strategies that break down barriers, promote understanding and unite us across our numerous social, cultural and economic dimensions.
Sport, in general, and these games in particular, exemplify these ideals in ways that few other platforms can. The camaraderie and competitive spirit on display here reflect the values that underpin our collective vision for a united, prosperous, and peaceful East African Community.
As we participate in this event, let us draw inspiration from the positive dynamics that drive sporting success and strive to emulate the principles and values necessary for achieving our regional objectives and fulfilling our mandate as leaders.
I must emphasise this: just as a team must work in harmony to achieve victory, we as leaders and nations must also align our efforts to realise the full potential of the East African Community (EAC).
Under my chairmanship, the EAC will prioritise swift and decisive actions to remove barriers to trade, expand our regional markets, and enhance connectivity, with a view to unlocking the immense opportunities that lie before us.
This year’s games remind us of the values we must continually reaffirm and embrace: resilience, teamwork, unity, dynamism, fair play, and positive competition. These same principles are central to our efforts to strengthen regional integration. Through initiatives to harmonise policies, expand infrastructure networks, and enhance cross-border trade, we are building a more competitive and inclusive East Africa.
Ladies and gentlemen, Kenya’s contributions to the growth of the EAC are grounded in the vision of an interconnected and prosperous region. By leveraging the vast resources and potential of our people, we can transform East Africa into a global economic powerhouse.
I am encouraged that these games echo our belief in harnessing our diversity and transforming it into our collective power. They are a vivid reminder of the choice we have always made: Channelling our differences constructively to enrich our collective experience.
Beyond the field of play, therefore, I am proud to reiterate Kenya’s support and push for a key continental initiative that will elevate East Africa’s position in Africa and the world. Kenya’s former Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Raila Odinga, is vying for the chairmanship of the African Union Commission (AUC). His vast experience, dedication to pan-African ideals and commitment to fostering integration make him an excellent candidate to lead the African Union Commission at this pivotal time. I call upon all EAC Partner States to rally behind his candidacy. His leadership will give East Africa a stronger voice on the continental stage, enabling us to champion our shared priorities, protect our interests and accelerate Africa’s development agenda. A united East Africa supporting his bid will not only demonstrate our collective resolve but also affirm our commitment to shaping the future of our continent.
Finally, allow me to acknowledge the role of sports in community and economic development. Events such as these bring significant opportunities to host cities like Mombasa, showcasing their vibrancy and potential while stimulating local economies. Beyond competition, they foster friendships, inspire collaboration and create platforms for exchanging ideas that benefit our communities across the region.
As I conclude, I call on all of us to embrace the spirit of these games and the ideals of our Community. Let us work together to build stronger connections, deepen our integration and ensure that the EAC remains a beacon of hope and opportunity for Africa. Together, we can achieve extraordinary things for our people.
Let us grow the EAC into a turbocharged engine driving Africa’s economic renaissance and propel the continent to its rightful place as a leader in the next phase of global transformation. Thank you. God bless you. God bless Kenya, East Africa and our great continent of Africa.