Uhuru tells youths to kick out tribalism

President Uhuru Kenyatta, Deputy President William Ruto and the newlyweds James Bukusi and Makena Murungi at Ngong Racecourse, Nairobi.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has hailed the modern Kenyan youth for taking practical steps in rejecting the tribal heritage of their older generations.

Speaking at at the wedding of Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi's daughter, Makena Murungi and James Bukusi at the Ngong Racecourse yesterday, Kenyatta praised young Kenyans for ignoring ethnic prejudices in their life and choices.

At the ceremony also attended by Deputy President William Ruto, the president said Kenyans should celebrate their different cultures instead of seeing them as barriers to their friendship and unity.

“We celebrate the coming together of our people. This generation is doing tremendous things because they do not see barriers among them. They see the person they went to school with and the person they work with. That is whom they respect. That is who they fall in love with and marry,” said Uhuru.

He said Kenya will become more secure and prosperous when Kenyans start accepting each other without using tribe or religion as a guide.

“That is the Kenya we are looking for. A Kenya where we have respect for one another, where we cherish our different cultures,” said the President.

Build bridges

Ruto said the marriage of Makena to Bukusi, whose parents originate from Busia County, was a step in the right direction as it is helping to build bridges between Kenyan communities. 

“You are assisting the president in building bridges," the DP said.

He said every Kenyan must take deliberate steps to go beyond ethnic boundaries, faiths and political parties to create a more harmonious nation.

DP Ruto said young Kenyans should be encouraged to settle down, saying the family is the foundation of any society. 

The ceremony was attended by several dignitaries.