Musalia Mudavadi: Regional peace is crucial to Kenya’s development
Regional peace crucial to Kenya’s development, Mudavadi say’s at a funeral of Mzee Kingi Mwaura in Kilifi County
Kenya’s economic growth and development will continue to be anchored on peace and security, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has emphasized. Speaking at the funeral service of Mzee Kingi Mwaruwa Mkweha, father to Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, in Kamale, Kilifi County, Mudavadi highlighted the critical role of stability in fostering economic prosperity.
Mudavadi underscored that a thriving economy depends on a peaceful environment, both domestically and regionally. He pointed to ongoing conflicts in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Sudan, urging collective action to restore stability.
“Unity of purpose is critical in the realization of peace and stability for any nation. As we lead these peace processes, focus at home should reflect the practical aspects that will help the region stabilize,” he stated.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary noted with concern that ethnic profiling in eastern DRC is exacerbating tensions, with nationals from other countries getting involved and complicating efforts to restore order.
“Currently, in the eastern DRC, ethnic profiling is worsening the situation. Nationals from other countries are getting themselves in the crisis, compromising efforts to restore sanctity,” he observed.
He stressed that embracing urgent peace initiatives is essential, not only for DRC and Sudan but for the broader region and Africa as a whole. Mudavadi highlighted that prolonged conflicts in these regions have led to the loss of millions of lives and displacement of countless civilians, with women, children, and persons with disabilities bearing the heaviest burden.
“A major risk is that the conflicts continue to rapidly mutate into other forms of threats to human security and dignity, such as sexual exploitation, abuse, and gender-based violence as a mode of war, illicit exploitation and trafficking of natural resources, swelling war economy, and erosion of state institutions and authority,” he warned.
Mudavadi reiterated Kenya’s commitment to diplomacy as the best strategy for resolving regional conflicts. He called on all stakeholders to actively participate in negotiations rather than resorting to combat.
“Kenya continues to anchor its diplomatic engagement on key pillars of its foreign policy. Peace and security call for all stakeholders to be on board in the talks,” he urged.
The Kenyan government has issued a security advisory to its citizens in DRC, urging them to be cautious. The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs is also considering evacuations, especially in volatile regions.
“The government of Kenya is considering the evacuation of Kenyans who can reach out to our consulate in Goma and our temporary offices in Congo Brazzaville,” read a statement from the ministry on Friday.
Mudavadi reaffirmed Kenya’s position in advocating for an immediate ceasefire, as agreed upon by regional leaders during the recent East African Cooperation and Southern African Development Community (SADC) High-Level Meeting in Tanzania.
“The government will continue to appraise Kenyans on each and every step being undertaken. The negative aspect being labelled on the government when it communicates on the road map to the future is not right,” he said.
He assured that transparency will remain a key principle in the government’s approach to peace efforts and regional diplomacy.
“Nothing will be hidden from Kenyans in terms of the progress being made by the government in its entirety,” he added
