Uhuru adds ‘bonga points’ to Ruto’s government in peace envoy role
Former president Uhuru Kenyatta seems to have fully embraced his role of leading peace efforts in the Great Lakes region to which he was appointed by his successor President William Ruto.
This is after the retired president arrived Tuesday in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo’s main city of Goma where there is a conflict between Congolese forces and M23 rebels.
During his visit, Mr Kenyatta was confronted by hundreds of internally displaced persons while on his way to Goma, in DR Congo.
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In a widely circulated video, Mr Kenyatta who is surrounded by dozens of armed military officers is seen paying attention to the group as they narrate their sufferings.
The former Head of State who is a mediator for the seven-nation East African Community (EAC), held peace talks with government officials and United Nation figures at Kinshasa.
“There is nothing that can be gained through the barrel of a gun,” Mr Kenyatta said.
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During his swearing-in ceremony, President Ruto handed his former boss the role of leading peace efforts in the Great Lakes region.
“I have asked my elder brother Uhuru Kenyatta who has done a commendable job in those regions, and he has graciously agreed to continue chairing those discussions on behalf of the people of Kenya,” President Ruto said.
However, on October 7, 2022, Mr Kenyatta skipped his first assignment in the peace talks on the conflict in Ethiopia.
At the time, Mr Kenyatta said he would not be able to attend the AU- convened peace talks due to conflict in his schedule.