Kenyan leader bids farewell to State House staff near end of 10-year tenure

By Andrew Wasike

NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) – As Kenyans prepare to vote for a new government next month, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday commended the staff at his official State House residence for their commitment and dedication during his rule.

In a ceremony attended by all his staff, Kenyatta thanked them for helping him to deliver on his mandate as head of state.

"On my own behalf, the first lady and my entire family, we are grateful to all of you, all departments of State House, for we have worked very well together. We shall miss each one of you, and we will carry fond memories of working together in the service of our nation,” Kenyatta said.

“It has, indeed, been a great pleasure and a great joy working with you because if you are working in an environment where you are happy, you are also able to deliver.”

For those who remain at State House after a new government is voted in next month, Kenyatta urged them to support the incoming administration and serve with zeal to help the nation reach greater heights

“Just like the way we found many of you here, we shall leave many of you here,” he said, asking them to “accord the same cooperation to the new administration. Help them to achieve more milestones so that our country can move forward.”

On Aug. 9, Kenyans will head to the polls in what many are calling a two-horse race between 77-year-old Raila Amolo Odinga, a former prime minister, and William Samoei Ruto, 55, Kenyatta’s vice president since 2013.

Two more candidates have also been cleared to run for the presidency, all in all, and everyone is scrambling to woo the coveted youth vote.