Are we working for ourselves or for Kenyans? Uhuru asks leaders

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday called on Kenyan leaders to be selfless in their daily activities so as to positively impact the lives of the people they serve.

The President challenged leaders to always question their motives as to whether they are truly serving Kenyans or their own selfish interests.

President Kenyatta said Kenyans need to emulate and learn from those who were before them in giving service to improve the wellbeing of the country.

Speaking during a memorial service held in honour of the late former Chairperson of Maendeleo ya Wanawake, Jane Mumbi Kiano, President Kenyatta said all Kenyans need to emulate her for the great role she played in the advancement of Kenyan women.

“So if there’s anything that we can learn from her life, is what contribution are we making? What sacrifice are we giving for the betterment of the people of this country to improve their lives? Are we working for ourselves or are we working for the wellbeing of the people of this country?” the President asked.

The President said the late Jane Kiano was a focused and selfless leader who sacrificed all that she had to change the lives of many women and girls.

“We remember her for the many great things that she did for this country. She did without expecting anything in return. She did it because it was right and just to do so. She fought the fight for women not because of wealth but because it was the right thing to do,” the President said.

“Today we celebrate many women under her tutelage have also in their own right become great leaders of this country.”

The President pointed out that the trailblazers programme which he recently launched aims at recognizing the role played by outstanding Kenyan women in the service of the country.

President Kenyatta announced that the women trailblazers programme will be improved and expanded to celebrate many more women high achievers.

“I promise you that what we have started now with our trailblazers programme, we will push and enhance it and set aside a day where Kenyans can remember the women we have produced and who have gone out to make a difference in Kenya,” he added.

Deputy President William Ruto said the late Jane Kiano was a great and highly influential icon for Kenyan girls and women through the Maendeleo ya Wanawake organization.

He said the late Jane Kiano was a true patriot who has left a rich legacy having mentored many women leaders across the nation.

“We celebrate the life of Jane Kiano because she leaves  behind a rich legacy . She built the biggest ever women organization in Kenya. At the heart of the city of Nairobi is the imposing Maendeleo ya Wanawake house and she leaves behind many women leaders that she mentored and inspired,” said the Deputy President.

On his part, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga said the late Jane Kiano made tremendous contribution to the advancement of women in Kenya.

He said the late Jane Kiano was a selfless and dedicated leader to the cause of advancing women affairs in the country as reflected by her work of putting up Maendeleo House in Nairobi.

Mr. Odinga, who was recently appointed Africa Union’s High Representative for Infrastructure Development, commended President Kenyatta for coming up with an initiative to celebrate women leaders who have contributed to the advancement of the country in all spheres of life.

“There is need to celebrate the role women have played in our country since the days of the struggle for independence to the post independence era so that we give them recognition that they truly deserve,” the former PM observed.

All speakers at the service eulogized the late Jane Kiano as a compassionate, visionary, generous and caring lady who selflessly gave all she had to improve the lives of all Kenyans irrespective of their status in life.