Deputy President William Ruto roots for unity in African leadership

By Augustine Oduor

NAIROBI, KENYA: Deputy President William Ruto has challenged African governments to double their efforts in empowering citizens to realise the dream of an independent continent as envisaged by forefathers.

He said for many years Africa has been faced with challenges ranging from the struggle for independence to discrimination, widespread diseases, illiteracy and poverty and noted that it is time heads of state and governments embrace a paradigm shift.

Ruto said for many years, the unity of Africans has seen them overcome many challenges through concerted efforts and asked for some more efforts towards the same.

“We as a continent have recognised that in our diversity, practical intelligence and rich store of natural resources and experience lay the seed that can sprout into a scientific economic and intellectual revival that produces solutions to challenges we face,” he said.

Ruto was speaking on Saturday during the Africa Day celebrations at the African Union offices in Nairobi.

The theme of this years Jubilee Celebrations is Pan Africanism and the African Renaissance.

He said governments and other institutions must reflect these qualities as the continent engages in actively and decisively with the need for social economic transformation of the African societies.

Ruto said with these, he is certain that Africa can invent and sustain new models of rapid economic growth that is environmentally sustainable and rooted in democracy and dignity.