Rwandans living in Kenya on Sunday celebrated the 30th Liberation Day.
The day commemorates the end of the genocide against the Tutsi which claimed a million lives.
The celebration was attended by about 1,000 people including members of the diplomatic corps in Nairobi, friends of Rwanda, and members of the Rwandan community in Kenya.
Rwanda’s Liberation Day is celebrated annually on July 4 but missions abroad mark the day on varying dates.
The celebrations commemorate the day when the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) and the Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA) led by now President Paul Kagame liberated the country and put an end to the genocide.
Addressing the gathering, High Commissioner Martin Ngoga stressed that the day signifies Rwanda's transition from an oppressive and discriminatory regime that oppressed its citizens, forced thousands to flee to exile, and perpetrated one of the harshest genocides in human history.
“Liberation Day represents the beginning of freedom from oppression and the rebirth of a nation. It also provides an opportunity for Rwandans to reflect on how far we have come as a nation and to share Rwanda’s liberation story, the journey of unity and reconciliation, and the country’s ongoing renewal and vision for a brighter future,” he added.
The High Commissioner also thanked the government of Kenya for being a major partner in the country’s reconstruction and development journey.
“I would like to thank the Kenyan government and the people of Kenya for the strong bonds of friendship and the unwavering support that has enabled robust trade and investments, and the people-to-people ties that have continued to grow stronger over the years,” he said.
Ambassador Josphat Maikara, Deputy Director-General Americas and the Caribbean Directorate at the State Department for Foreign Affairs was also present.
Maikara, who was representing the government of Kenya hailed Rwanda’s remarkable transformation over the last 30 years.
“Rwanda has faced adversity with courage, healed wounds with compassion, and rebuilt a nation with determination,” he said.
“Presently, Rwanda stands as a beacon of hope and resilience - a testament to what can be achieved when a nation chooses unity over division, peace over conflict, and progress over stagnation,” he added.
Maikara reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to continue “working closely with the government of Rwanda to champion the cause of the continent and further strengthen the historical bonds of friendship” between the two countries.