President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday, December 2, awarded a king with a top Kenyan award.
King Abdile Wabar Abdi, the Ethiopian-based traditional leader of the Degodia community found in Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia and Djibouti, was feted with the Elder of Burning Spear (EBS) award, one of the highest national honours.
The award was in honour of his role in ensuring cross-border peace and unity in the region.
The head of state commended the leader for spearheading peace, unity and understanding in the region.
Uhuru underscored the need for countries to nurture peace and unity, adding that colonial boundaries should not be allowed to divide people.
He added that the region stood to achieve faster development if its people worked together in peace and harmony.
“We need to live together as brothers and sisters and respect all communities in the region,” the president stated.
King Abdi, who was accompanied by a huge delegation of members of the Degodia community from Kenya and Ethiopia, delivered a message of peace and unity to President Kenyatta.
Uhuru conveyed that cultural diplomacy should be used as a vehicle for uniting people, adding that Kenya sees its neighbours, not as threats but allies in development.
