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Nairobi, May 28, 2009

President Mwai Kibaki addressing guests during the Seventh National Prayer Breakfast at Safari Park, Nairobi.

President Mwai Kibaki has called on all Kenyans, faith leaders, civil society and the media to foster a spirit of repentance and forgiveness that will contribute to national healing and reconciliation.

President Kibaki said, as citizens, individual Kenyans have a critical role to play in building a just and peaceful country by choosing to be a force for justice and reconciliation within their communities.

The President said wananchi should reach out to their neighbours and those in need and forgive one another in the true Christian spirit.

President Kibaki said, “It is God’s wish that peace abound everywhere that men and women live. God placed us in this beautiful and great country with a purpose. We are only 42 communities in Kenya while other countries have far more communities.”

Noting that the country is in great need of reconciliation and healing, President Kibaki said Kenyans should reflect on the challenges the country is facing and seek God’s intervention.

“Let us pray for God’s grace to enable us reinforce our communal ties and reach out in unity to one another as brothers and sisters in the spirit of God’s commandment to love others as we love ourselves,” President Kibaki said.

President Kibaki was speaking today at the Safari Park hotel during the Seventh National Prayer breakfast.

The President pointed out that in the aftermath of the post election violence, national reconciliation and healing is one of the key challenges that faced the country.

In this regard President Kibaki expressed satisfaction that the Government is making progress towards addressing this challenge, pointing out that the law establishing the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission was passed by Parliament in December last year.

“The process of hiring the commissioners has now commenced with a view to having a fully established Commission within the next two months,” President Kibaki said, adding that the Commission will address the issues of negative ethnic tendencies and lead the process of national reconciliation and integration.

Similarly, the President said, the National Cohesion and Integration Act is now operational.

Said the President: “I expect that the process of healing and reconciliation will take deep root among ourselves as individuals and within our communities so that we can move forward with a renewed sense of nationhood.”

The President, however, observed that the process of national reconciliation, healing and integration will require the commitment of all Kenyans to succeed, saying political leaders must, in particular, demonstrate by word and deed that they are committed to the reconciliation and healing process.

He said leaders must be united in these endeavors to make the Kenyans sense a unifying force in their institutions of governance, adding that the nation must be healed by a common patriotism and sense of duty among all leaders.

President Kibaki, at the same time, appealed to all Kenyans to exercise their individual power and leadership to bring about the true spirit of Kenya , united in one common bond.

The President urged wananchi to embrace the spirit of Christian selflessness so as to realize the envisaged future for the country.

“This is a future based on mutual respect and mutual responsibility, a future where all Kenyans, whatever their origins, are truly equal partners, with equal opportunities and with an equal stake in shaping the next chapter in the history of our great country,” President Kibaki said.

He said Kenyans should also pray God to bestow on the East African region a future where all people shall remain fully committed to the spirit of a united and stable East Africa at peace with itself and that will provide opportunities for a decent and prosperous life for all the citizens of the member countries.

President Kibaki thanked Rwandan President Paul Kagame for gracing the occasion.

In his key note address President Kagame, who was the chief guest, said Kenya is a great country of God and Kenyans are great people so they cannot afford to fail.

President Kagame said all Kenyans should unite and spare the country a painful experience like the Rwandan genocide.

The Rwandan President, however, urged Kenya to learn from the Rwandan experience, pointing out that there must be a concerted effort by all Kenyans to steer the country into prosperity.

President Kagame declared that Kenya is a nation favoured by God and has an obligation to act as a channel of blessing, peace and hope to its people and other countries in the region and the continent at large.

President Kagame said there is need for societies to pursue policies that harness ethnic diversity and consensus building in order to achieve long lasting peace and a united society.

He noted that all forms of discrimination should be guarded against to promote disadvantaged members of the society particularly women who form the large portions of the society to enable them participate effectively in the transformation of the society and nation building.

The prayer breakfast was attended by Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende, Cabinet Ministers, Assistant Ministers, Members of Parliament, senior government officials and other dignitaries. Over 50 international guests attended the event too.

Meanwhile President Kagame who has been in the country to attend the National Prayer Breakfast went back home this afternoon.

The plane carrying the Rwandan President and his entourage departed Jomo Kenyatta International Airport shortly after midday.

He was seen off at the airport by his host President Kibaki, Vice-President Musyoka, several ministers and other senior government officials.