Over 200 members of the Rwandan community in Kenya convened in a hybrid event to observe Liberation Day on July 16.

Owing to the pandemic, the celebration was both virtual and physical, with a few members of the Rwandan community in Kenya participating physically at the Rwanda High Commission.

Referring to Liberation Day, which is marked  July 4 every year, the High Commissioner of Rwanda to Kenya, Richard Masozera commended the liberators who ended the Genocide against Tutsi in 1994.

“The then army of Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) ended years of persecution and massacre by a tyrannical regime that had unleashed terror on its citizens, promoted division along ethnic lines and kept its population in perpetual poverty,” he said.

“Today, we are gathered to pay tribute to brave men and women, both those who have left us and those who are still living...on this day, they decided that Rwanda will never be the same and will belong to all Rwandans.”

Masozera stressed that; “An eternal debt of gratitude owed to H.E President Paul Kagame for his visionary leadership that led to the defeat of the forces of evil at a time when the international community had turned a blind eye to the Genocide against the Tutsis that had unfolded before its eyes.”

He said that this liberation has come to define Rwanda’s successful journey on tackling poverty, improved literacy rate, and ensured gender equality, security stability and the country’s exponential economic growth.

The Director General of Bilateral and Political Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kenya, Ambassador Galma M. Boru, congratulated Rwanda on how the country emerged from the brink of collapsing to a country that is now considered the silicon valley of Africa.

Ambassador Boru appreciated “the long-standing friendly, historical relations and high-value cooperation between Kenya and Rwanda at bilateral and multilateral levels.”

“The partnership between the two has brought about substantial benefits to the two peoples and nations.”

Masozera in his closing remarks urged the Rwandan community in Kenya to keep up the good work of joining hands with people in Rwanda to contribute in a sustainable manner what has been achieved.

“Rwanda and the rest of the continent will together, with a determined and strong leadership, overcome current challenges with faith and courage,” he stated.

Antonina kayitesi master of ceremony

Liberation poem recited by Natasha Muhoza 

High Commissioner Dr Richard Masozera delivering his Liberation day remarks