Deputy President Gachagua Roots for African Intermarriages to Boost Regional Integration » Capital News
NAIROBI, KENYA, APRIL 7 – Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has emphasized the significance of intermarriages among Africans to bolster regional integration, during his address in Kigali, Rwanda.
Gachagua highlighted the potential of cross-cultural unions to strengthen ties between African nations, underscoring the shared history and unity among the continent’s people. He urged African countries to leverage Kenya’s visa-free policy to foster closer people-to-people relations.
“The president has created a visa-free regime, especially for this continent. We are one people, sharing a common history. When Rwandans marry Kenyans and vice versa, it enriches our collective heritage,” stated Gachagua who represented President William Ruto at the 30th memorial of the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
He pledged the government’s commitment to expediting the processing of such marriages, ensuring couples receive their marriage certificates promptly to enable them to build their lives together.
“These unions represent more than just personal relationships; they facilitate the exchange of skills and knowledge crucial for our social, economic, and cultural advancement,” added Gachagua.
Deputy President Gachagua was in Kigali to attend the 30th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi. Representing President William Ruto, he joins other dignitaries at the ‘Kwibuka 30’ ceremony, marking a solemn remembrance of one of the darkest chapters in human history.
Accompanied by a delegation including Members of Parliament, PS for the Diaspora Roseline Njogu, and university student leaders, Gachagua was seen off by Chief of Defence Forces General Francis Ogolla. Departing Nairobi on Saturday afternoon, the delegation’s presence underscores Kenya’s solidarity with Rwanda during this poignant occasion.
The theme for this year’s commemoration, “Remember-Unite-Renew,” encapsulates the imperative of honoring the past, fostering unity, and forging a brighter future. With over one million lives lost during the genocide, the event serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience and determination of the Rwandan people.
In addition to attending the commemoration, Deputy President Gachagua will engage with Kenyans living and working in Rwanda during an evening dinner at Serena Hotel in Kigali. Discussions will center on enhancing the diaspora experience and exploring investment opportunities aligned with Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
Among the key topics to be addressed are streamlining registration processes for documents, facilitating diaspora participation in trade and governance, and seeking input on the Kenya Diaspora Policy 2024. With approximately 8,000 Kenyans residing in Rwanda, efforts are underway to ensure all citizens are documented and accounted for.
Under President Ruto’s leadership, the government is prioritizing economic diplomacy to strengthen bilateral relations and boost remittances through investment and trade. In 2022, Kenya’s exports to Rwanda exceeded imports, highlighting the potential for mutually beneficial economic cooperation between the two nations.
Deputy President Gachagua has reiterated the importance of economic gains in evaluating the performance of foreign missions, emphasizing the need for envoys to contribute to the country’s economic growth agenda. As Kenya focuses on agricultural reforms and increased production, diplomatic efforts will play a crucial role in advancing national interests and fostering regional partnerships.
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