Members of the Rwandan community living in Kenya on Friday gathered in Nairobi to celebrate harvest day locally known as Umuganura and lauded what the country has registered in terms of development and pledged to continue playing their part in the country’s development. The event was held at the Rwanda High Commission in Nairobi. Eric Ndirabika, Chairman of Rwandan Community in Nairobi outlined achievements registered by the community including contributing to national programmes such as Agaciro Development Fund, Girinka programme among others. “Last year alone, our community members contributed USD 76,000 to Agaciro Development Fund, we gave forty cows to Girinka programme,” he said He also said that while in Kenya, members of the community were there for each other and support each other whenever they are sick or during the demise of colleagues, social activities that had cost them over Rwf16 million. A lot has been achieved Presenting the country’s achievements over the years as part of Umuganura concept to participants, First Secretary Kim Kamasa told participants that GDP had increased from 4,929 billion in 2013 to 7,597 billion in 2017, with agriculture and service sector leading the country’s economic growth. “We have seen tremendous progress in service sector where contribution to GDP increased from Rwf2, 4 billion in 2013 to Rwf3,2billion in 2017 and 675,000 new none agriculture jobs were created in the process whereas agriculture production increased from Rwf1,4 billion to Rwf2,3 billion in the same period,” Kamasa said Infrastructure development mainly in road construction is another area that saw a remarkable increase with more new roads being built. Access to electricity by Rwandan household also saw a tremendous increase from 19.8% in 2013 to 35% in 2017, he said. “All these sectorial advances have greatly increased the internally generated revenues which now finance the national budget at a rate of 84%,” Kamasa said Speaking at the event, First Secretary and chargé daffaires Peter Matsiko said that Umuganura is a time to be thankful to God for achievements and to get together to celebrate Rwanda’s cultural heritage. “For the Rwandan community living in Kenya, we are called upon to teach the young ones about our history which you have done quite well,” he said Matsiko urged members to turn up in large numbers on 2 September to elect members of Parliament. During this event, invited guests were entertained with traditional dances as they enjoyed traditional Rwandan dishes and drinks. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
