Gabiro, 11 March 2019 - President Kagame on Monday welcomed President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya to the RDF Combat Training Centre in Gabiro on the sidelines of the 16th annual National Leadership Retreat, Umwiherero.

The two leaders held a tête a tête meeting, before President Kenyatta passed by to greet participants at the Umwiherero. 

In his message to the retreat participants, President Kenyatta commended existing relations between Rwanda and Kenya and expressed commitment to make the relations even more stronger.   

“Let me say that the relationship between our two countries is probably one of the best relations that we have, as Kenya. The things that we have been able to do together, in terms of easing movement of our people, in terms of the linkages and what we did especially in the ICT sector, telecommunications sector. We have many Kenyans living and working here in Rwanda and feeling very much at home. We have many Rwandans living and working in Kenya, really showing that we are brothers and sisters, bound at the hip. And ours as leaders is to continue to see how we can deepen that integration" President Kenyatta said.

President Kenyatta further hailed Rwanda’s progress, 25 years after the Genocide against the Tutsi which he said could be replicated elsewhere.

“We are very proud of the manner in which Rwanda has turned around, from a country that was heavily, heavily hit, especially during the Genocide period, a country that was on its knees, to one of the brightest stars on the African continent in a very short space of time. Really showing clear direction and clarity from the top, all the way to all of you who have been part and parcel of making this Rwandan dream a reality. Lives have changed, the progress you have made in healthcare, the progress you have made in ICT, look at Kigali today... I keep telling my brother here, that I am fighting very hard to overtake him in terms of ease of doing business, and he keeps telling me: “Do your best.” President Kenyatta added.

Chaired by President Kagame, the 16th annual National Leadership Retreat, attracted over 350 senior leaders from central and local government, parastatals and the private sector. This year’s Umwiherero is set to discuss various topics including a reflection on Rwanda’s development trajectory, Improving the quality of education, Improving the quality of health, increasing agricultural productivity for growth and Boosting exports growth and investments.

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