This archive report was first published on 11 October 2019.
President Uhuru Kenyatta joined regional Heads of State and Government at the inauguration of the Unity Park, a museum inside the Ethiopian National Palace, on October 11, 2019.
The President commended Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for efforts to entrench democracy and create unity in the country.
“Ethiopia is endowed with a rich and colourful history that makes it unique on the African continent. As one of the few countries to resist and defeat efforts at colonialism, it serves as a constant reminder of the need to preserve our culture and sovereignty,” President Kenyatta said.
He emphasized the importance of preserving African cultural heritage and historical assets, saying it would serve to restore the dignity, honour and well-being of the African people.
“Preserving and restoring African cultural heritage and the protection of our environment is a huge investment that we as leaders must continue to champion tirelessly,” President Kenyatta said.
The Unity Park, which comprises the palaces of former rulers of the country, pays tribute to Ethiopia’s legacy as an unconquered country during the continent’s dark period of colonisation by European powers.
Sections of the palace were renovated at the cost of five billion Birr (Shs 17.5 billion) to develop display pavilions of cultural and historical assets of the country’s nine regional states.
