Japan's Ambassador to Kenya, Totshisugu Uesawa, left Kenyans amazed after he delivered a speech in fluent Kiswahili at the launch of the Thiba Dam Project in Kirinyaga on Thursday.
He hailed Japan's relationship with Kenya and assured Kirinyaga residents that his country was not only out to make profits in Kenya.
Mr Uesawa promised that the Thiba Dam project would be beneficial not only to Kirinyaga residents but all Kenyans.
The Japanese Government has pumped Sh12 Billion into the project while Kenya has chipped in with Sh5 Billion.
He stated: "Sisi watu wa Japan si wageni hapa, sisi ni marafiki wenu, yaani tumetia bidii kupanda mchele hapa pamoja na wote watu wa Kirinyaga (the people of Japan are not visitors here, we are your friends, we've worked hard to plant rice here together with the people of Kirinyaga.)
"Nia yetu si kupata faida tu, nia yetu ni usaidizi huu kujenga uhusiano mwema kati ya watu wa Kijapani na watu wa Kenya (our goal is not just to make profits, our goal is for this assistance to build a good relationship between the people of Japan and the people of Kenya)," he continued.
Mr Uesawa further expressed confidence in President Uhuru Kenyatta's leadership.
"Nina hakika kwamba, bila shaka mradi huu utafanyika na uongozi mwema wa Mheshimiwa Rais Wa Kenya jina lake President Uhuru Kenyatta ambaye yuko hapa, ama nnamna gani? (I'm sure that this project will be done with the good leadership of the President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta)," Uesawa stated.
The ceremony was graced by President Kenyatta, his Deputy William Ruto and Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru.
President Kenyatta called on Kenyans to move away from politics as the electioneering period was over and focus on development.
[caption caption="President Kenyatta with Governor Anne Waiguru at the event"]
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