Kenyans joined the rest of the world in commemorating the birth of the legendary Peace icon of the passive resistance ideology to social oppression and economic exploitation- Mahatma Gandhi.
The colourful event held at the University of Nairobi on Sunday 2nd October 2022 commemorated Gandhi’s 153 birthday with a cross section of leaders paying great tribute to the passive resistance founder who was born at Porbandar, Gujarat India 1869.
Speaking at the function attended by several dignitaries who included representative’s of the Indian high commission in Nairobi, former Nairobi mayor Prof. Nathan Kahara, and members of the Asian Hindu community in Kenya, Council Chairman Stephen Kipchumba Cheboi said the memorable even provided an opportunity for Kenya and India to forge close working ties.
Cheboi said the day comes just a few weeks after Kenya held peaceful elections and even when the presidential result was contested it was through peaceful means at the supreme court and the matter has since concluded and Kenyans are back to rebuilding the nation.
“We want to pay tribute to this great human being and urge world leaders to emulate his gospel of passive non-violent struggle against social oppression, economic exploitation and political subjugation” Cheboi said.
Mr.Robit underscored the need to strengthen even further the mutually beneficial traditional ties between Kenya and India saying Ghandi was the glue that unites the two countries for even greater heights of positive cooperation.
He said India would continue to support charity and extoll virtues of peace, ove and forgiveness as extolled by one of mankind’s greatest human beings- Mahatma Ghandi.
Cheboi said the council is committed to working with all stakeholders in society to promote the welfare of humanity in a peaceful and secure environment.” he said.
As Ghandi used to put it we can disagree on many issues but that need not degenerate into violence, Cheboi said.
Former Nairobi mayor Prof. Nathan Kahara said he was spearheading peace efforts as patron of Kenya Veterans for Peace an organisation of retired soldiers, by extolling and upholding the ideals of Mahatama Ghandi who even when he was assassinated by a Sikh fundamentalist he urged a crowd of his supporters to spare the attacker as he did not know what he was doing.
Kahara called for close Kenya-India social and economic ties to build on gains made in recent years, noting that the recent general election was proof that the country was following in the footsteps of New Delhi which is the world’s largest democracy.
The day-long colourful event saw several entertainment dance groups playing Indian songs perform on stage backed by artistic performances.
The chairman of the Rajasthan Association of Kenya Dr. Sonvir Singh who were the main hosts for the event said the world still remembers Ghandi who would have been 153 years if he was alive today, because of the modesty, simplicity and love for fellow human beings that he extolled throughout his 83 years in life.
“Ghandi was the embodiment of modest simplicity yet a major crowd puller winning the respect of many governments around the world including Tanzania’s first president Julius Nyerere.” Nyerere he said was also a modest and simple leader who shunned wastage and material extravagance that is the preserve of African leaders leading impoverished third world nations.
