The Rwandan community in Kenya, diplomats and friends of Rwanda on Tuesday, July 12 met to celebrate the country’s 28th anniversary of national liberation, in an event that brought together over 250 people.

In his key note address, the High Commissioner of Rwanda to Kenya, Dr. Richard Masozera told the audience that every year on July 4, Rwandans celebrate the liberation anniversary, a historic day when the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF/A), stopped the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, which had claimed the lives of over a million people in only 100 days.

He further noted that the RPF/RPA ended years of persecution and massacres by a tyrannical regime that had unleashed terror on its citizens, promoted divisions along ethnic lines and kept the population ignorant and in perpetual poverty.

Diplomats posing for a photo during the ceremony

Masozera further said that the liberation of Rwanda was never presented to the Rwandan people on a silver platter, noting that Rwandans stood together and with members of the brave RPA forces at the forefront, paying the ultimate sacrifice, which finally led to Rwanda's liberation from one of the darkest chapters of its history.

The High Commissioner also thanked the Kenyan leadership, the government and people of Kenya for the strong bonds of friendship, unwavering support and partnership that has enabled robust trade and investments, a shared vision and the people – to – people ties that have continued to grow stronger and closer over the years.

In his concluding remarks, the High Commissioner stressed that Rwandans celebrate and owe an eternal debt of gratitude to 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 on the genocide against the Tutsis that had unfolded before its eyes.

Defence Attaches accredited to Nairobi posing for a photo during the ceremony.

In his remarks, George Orina, the Director General for Multilateral Affairs from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Kenya who was the Chief Guest congratulated Rwanda on how the country emerged from the brink of collapsing to a country that has now gained global reputation for peace and prosperity, applauding the gallant women and men who liberated Rwanda and stopped the genocide against the Tutsi.

Orina also saluted the long-standing friendly, historical relations and high-value cooperation between Kenya and Rwanda at bilateral and multilateral levels whilst stressing that the partnership between the two has brought about substantial benefits to the two peoples and nations, further noting that Rwanda is more than a neighbour to Kenya but a strategic partner.

The celebrations were also marked by Rwanda’s traditional dance performance while members of the diplomatic corps, Rwandans and friends of Rwanda had the opportunity to network and dance to the warm Rwandan music.

Members of the diplomatic corps and Friends of Rwanda listening to Masozera’s address

Rwandan cultural troupe in Kenya entertaining the guests