President Uhuru Kenyatta has held the first State of the Nation address since he was re-elected.
In the keynote speech he delivered during a joint sitting in Parliament, the President punctuated his address with the need for unity.
He acknowledged that last year during the campaigns, politicians dismally failed to unite Kenyans-something he apologized for.
“It is quite clear that Kenya is safer, more prosperous and more united than when I last spoke to you…Kenyans twice cast their votes last year and the results, I believe, reflected their will. We also learnt a hard truth that neither peace nor unity are a given. We must work for them. If we don’t put an end to unrestrained political competition, it will put an end to us,” he said.
“Let us each apologize for our words, anger and malice. From Mandera to Maseno, from Mbita to Mvita, from Lodwar to Lunga Lunga and embrace our neighbours.”
After the address, politicians from across the divide hailed his call for unity saying it was humbling to see the President apologize.
“It was humbling to see the President with a lot of humility. It is a sign of statesmanship when a leader of his caliber apologizes,” said Likoni MP Mishi Mboko (ODM).
Murang’a Women Representative Sabina Chege said: “I thank the President for walking the talk on unity. It is the very important for us as Kenyan people.”
The President reiterated his commitment to ensuring every Kenyan owns a decent home as enshrined in his Big Four agenda. He said a home for every Kenya is a sign of a decent life which he is committed to delivering.
“My dream is that every Kenyan will have the capacity to own a decent home. This dream is going to become a reality if we join our hands to incentivize, especially, the private sector,” stated the President.