President Uhuru Kenyatta was on Thursday, July 7, presented with the National Order of the Republic of Burundi- the highest award of honour in the East African County.
In a statement by the President's Strategic Communications Unit (PSCU) Uhuru had been conferred with the award by Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye during the country’s 60th Independence Day celebrations held on July 1.
Evariste honored the Kenyan Head of State for his outstanding role in promoting peace, security and stability in Burundi during the political crisis in 2015.
“The important role the Government of Kenya played in successfully campaigning for the removal of Burundi from the United Nations Security Council watch list,” read part of the citation.
The award was presented to Uhuru who is retiring in less than a month, by Kenya’s Ambassador to Burundi Daniel Waisiko Wambura who had received it on his behalf during the national celebrations.
President Evariste also recognised his Kenyan counterpart for personal support, engagement and solidarity in successfully campaigning to have the sanctions imposed on Burundi by the European Union and other development partners lifted.
Uhuru was also lauded for his great contribution in promoting peace, security and stability in the Great Lakes region which includes the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Rwanda, Zambia, Uganda, Ethiopia Malawi and Mozambique.
The Head of State has been instrumental in promoting peace in the region as he served in the capacity of the East African Community (EAC) Chair. During his tenure, he foresaw the inclusion of DRC to the regional trade block.
In addition, he convened a meeting with EAC presidents in Nairobi on June 20, to discuss the conflict in Eastern DRC and established an army to counter the rebel groups.
In February 2022, he called on the players in the prolonged Ethiopian war pitting the government against the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) to embrace genuine reconciliation.
He pointed out that the year-long conflict had deprived Ethiopian civilians their dignity and that peaceful co-existence was not only necessary in the country but her neighbours in the region as well.
In a separate event, Uhuru was inaugurated as the Global Champion for the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP) at University of Nairobi's Taifa Hall in Nairobi City County.
AAAP is a joint initiative of the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) that aims to raise Ksh2,95 trillion (USD 25 billion) over 5 years, for investment in Africa's climate adaptation interventions.
