{{Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta, Wednesday flagged off the 7th edition of the East African Community Military Games and Culture Events in Nairobi Kenya.}}
Speaking during the opening ceremony, His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta said EAC Military Games and Cultural events provide an opportune moment for the military to demonstrate that sport can cut across both racial and cultural divides.
He noted that history shows that the East African Community is one region with the indigenous populace sharing common ancestral history and had no prohibition of goods and people moving around
“I am delighted to observe that you have been a source of pride and inspiration to the rest of the citizens and i can assure you that your governments appreciate your form of patriotism and effort and will always be ready to support and provide resources for even better performance and achievement of the ultimate goal of fostering peace and solidarity in this region and Africa at large’’ added Kenyatta.
President Kenyatta extended his deep appreciation and gratitude to Chiefs of the EAC Partner States Defence Forces for their dedication and for the big strides made towards the realization of the East Africa Community Cooperation in Defence aspect of the Memorandum of Understanding and specifically for the elaborate programme they have put in place towards confidence building and solidarity of EAC Defence Forces.
“I have no doubt in my mind that the MoU in cooperation in Defence is one of the most successful and exemplary programmes in the EAC integration process’’
H.E Kenyatta reaffirmed that stability remains the most critical ingredient to the future development and prosperity of the community. He urged EAC military to stand guard and ensure peace that now reigns through the nations of EAC is safeguarded.
On his part, the EAC Secretary General Amb. Dr. Richard Sezibera extended the condolences of the East African Community to the Government and people of the Republic of Kenya on the fire outbreak at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
He said the fire outbreak at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport was not a Kenyan tragedy but “it is an East African tragedy because this Airport is in many ways, the entry and exit point into East Africa”.
The Secretary General noted that peace and security are the prerequisites for social and economic development. With the evolving security challenges as a result of international terrorism, piracy and instability the world over, issues of defence and security must continue to be given the importance they deserve in the agenda of nations and indeed the agenda of groupings of nations such as the East African Community, noted the EAC official.
The 5-17 Military Games and Culture Week, which is being held within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Defense entail a variety of sporting disciplines including; handball, football, netball, cross-country and basketball among others.
The East African Military Games and Culture Events have been held on a rotational basis since 2005 when the first edition held in Kampala, Uganda. Other editions of the games have since been held in the Republic of Kenya in 2006, United Republic of Tanzania in 2007, Republic of Rwanda in 2009 and 2012 and Republic of Burundi in 2011.
EAC
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