Mudavadi: Regional peace key to Kenya’s growth

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula at the funeral service of Mzee Kingi Mwaruwa Mkweha, the father to Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, in Kilifi County on February 21, 2025

Kenya will continue anchoring its developmental agenda on peace and security, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has said.

Mudavadi said the growth of Kenya’s GDP will largely rely on the peace situation in the country.

He noted that the current situation in the neighboring eastern DRC and Sudan calls for a collective effort to return normalcy in the two nations.

“Unity of purpose is critical in the realisation of peace and stability for any nation. As we lead these peace processes, focus at home should reflect the practical aspects that will help the region stabilise,” Mudavadi said.

“Currently in the eastern DRC, ethnic profiling is worsening the situation. Nationals from other countries are getting themselves into the crisis, compromising efforts to restore sanctity,” added Mudavadi.

Mudavadi said embracing urgent peace initiatives will not only be essential for the eastern DRC and Sudan but also for the region and Africa as a continent.

He lamented that the long-drawn conflict in the eastern region of the DRC and Sudan continues to claim millions of lives and displacing countless civilians, with children, women and Persons with Disabilities bearing the brunt.

“A major risk is that the conflicts continue to rapidly mutate into other forms of threats to human security and dignity such as sexual exploitation, abuse and gender-based violence as a mode of war, illicit exploitation and trafficking of natural resources, swelling war economy and erosion of state institutions and authority.” said Mudavadi.

Mudavadi said negotiations rather than combat is what will help restore peace in the crisis-prone regions.

“Kenya continues to anchor its diplomatic engagement on key pillars of its foreign policy. Peace and security call for all stakeholders to be on board in the talks.” urged Mudavadi.

Kenya has already issued an advisory on the peace situation in the DRC, calling on the Kenyans in the country to take caution of their security situation.

The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs has noted that where possible, it will consider evacuations, especially in the volatile regions.

“The government of Kenya is considering the evacuation of Kenyans who can reach out to our consulate in Goma and our temporary offices in Congo Brazzaville.” read part of a statement from the ministry, Friday.

Mudavadi said, Kenya will continue urging parties in the conflict-prone regions to consider an immediate ceasefire, as adopted by the Heads of State and the joint East African Cooperation and Southern African Development Community High-Level Meeting held in Tanzania recently.

“The government will continue to appraise Kenyans on each and every step being undertaken. The negative aspect being labeled on the government when it communicates on the road map to the future is not right,” regretted Mudavadi.

Mudavadi said nothing will be hidden from Kenyans in terms of the progress being made by the government in entirety.

Mudavadi made the remarks in his address at the funeral service of Mzee Kingi Mwaruwa Mkweha, the father to Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, in Kamale, Kilifi County.