Tanzania’s Foreign Affairs Minister Palamagamba Kabudi (pictured) has challenged Kenyans to shun tribalism and ethnic antagonism that accompanies every electioneering period.
Kabudi, a former University of Dar es Saalam law lecturer, spent more than 10 minutes addressing Kenyans, urging them to shun tribal politics to achieve development and economic growth in the country.
He was speaking yesterday at the launch of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) at the Bomas of Kenya in Nairobi.
Kabudi acknowledged that Kenya is advanced in development and entrepreneurship, tribalism and negative ethnicity was still a major setback that needed to be addressed.
“Kenya is a great country no doubt. Kenya is endowed with dynamic people, innovators, people filled with talents and entrepreneurs. How can such great people allow themselves to be dominated by tribalism,” he posed, adding that Kenyans should emulate Tanzanians in fostering peace.
He said Kenya is a great nation full of great people who have been messed up by tribalism and called upon politicians to stop divisive politics that have for many years derailed unity.
“My fellow politicians in Kenya. Live up to the expectations of Kenyans and other East Africans. Kenyan politicians have for long been vessels of divisive politics rather than being instruments of unity to the citizens. Until when will this trend continue," he posed.
He wondered why Kenyans fight after elections, yet we share tribes like Taita, Luo, Kamba, Digo, Maasai and Kuria with Tanzanians.
While applauding President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leaderChief Raila Odinga for agreeing to unify the country, Kabudi said that the implementation of the BBI should be urgent and pragmatic.
He further reminded the county of the important position that it holds in East Africa, an aspect that ought to be maintained.
“You make East Africa's economy tick. We will not interfere in your internal affairs, but when we feel what you are doing is perilous to the stability of the region, we will say it loudly,” he said while reminding Kenyans the country's importance in the region.
“Your peace is not only important to you but to the East African region too. If we allow you to fail on the basis of tribalism and negative ethnicity, we fall too as a region,” added Kabudi.
The audience which was all along was seated during the relatively long speech as compared to the speakers gave a standing ovation to the minister in acknowledgement of his remarks.
Kabudi, who attended the function as a special envoy of President John Magufuli, also waded into the quest by Kenya to have a permanent representative at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), saying that Tanzania has full confidence in Kenya's ability to represent African.
Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletter
“We have confidence in Kenya, that you will champion the African voice and will strongly advocate the continent’s position in the UN body,” Mr Kabudi said.
The Standard Group Plc is a
multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper
print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The
Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key
influence in matters of national and international interest.
join