Uhuru’s love affair with the military

President Uhuru Kenyatta (second right) at the launch of Kenya ni Mimi forum at the Bomas of Kenya, Nairobi, yesterday. [PSCU]

President Uhuru Kenyatta has confessed his love affair with the military and urged Kenyans to emulate their discipline and integrity.

While inaugurating the national youth dialogue initiative dubbed Kenya ni Mimi at the Bomas of Kenya yesterday, Uhuru said the military men and women had the requisite discipline which should be emulated by all.

He said the military had acquitted itself well on all the assignments, including the rehabilitation of Kisumu port, restoring order in Nairobi City and rehabilitation of the old railway network. He urged the youth to seize the moment, take control of their destiny in all spheres, and offer themselves for leadership and oversight of government.

“If all of us had the discipline and integrity of our Defence Forces, our country would go far. I encourage every Kenyan to be more like them for the development of our country,” said Uhuru.

During an interactive session dubbed Bonga na Prezzo, Uhuru answered questions on marriage and love, youth access to leadership and priorities youth should focus on. Youthful Chief Administrative Secretary Nadia Ahmed moderated the session.

The president observed that despite the youth constituting more than 70 per cent of the country’s population, their presence has not been felt in key spheres of the country, including leadership.

“Kenya has its owners and that is each one of the 50 million of us. For a long time majority of the shareholders have not taken responsibility,” the president said. He said young people cannot make a difference as along as they continue shying away from taking bold steps aimed at transforming not only their lives, but the country at large.

“You must be in the arena. You must tell the narrative of our country to take charge of our future. You must take ownership,” the president said.

Kenya ni Mimi campaign is a national platform for young people to consolidate their contribution to nation building and well being economically, politically and socially.

The Head of State told youth representatives to emulate liberation heroes from across the globe whom he said led to the emancipation of their countries at very young ages.

“Nothing happens without a dream. All makers of change in this world started young but were well empowered,” he said.

He added, “To flatten the curve of unemployment, we must correct our Kenyan imperfections; imperfections that drive investors away. Our young people must take the lead.”

On gender based violence and other retrogressive cultural practices, Uhuru said his government will not relent in efforts to stamp out the vices.

“Women need to be treated with respect. Excluding women from the social, economic and political agenda of this country is like cutting one of your legs and hope to be able to walk. It is impossible,” the president said.

He noted the cycle of violence after every election has depressed the country’s investment potential, saying it was the genesis of the BBI process. “The BBI initiative is meant to ensure that no Kenyan ever feels left out to a point that they become violent to achieve their objective,” he said.

ICT CS Joe Mucheru commended Uhuru for championing the youth agenda by recruiting them into senior ranks of government. Other speakers included African Union Special Envoy on Youth Aya Chebbi and UNFPA Kenya Country Representative Ademola Olajide.