Ladies and Gentlemen, all protocol observed, 

HUJAMBO!

It is with great pleasure that I may address you once more: the third time, after COVID prevented a public celebration of my first National Day in 2021. And as for many of my colleagues: a fourth national day often also announces a goodbye. And yes, also for me: next month my term in Nairobi will come to an end, freedom is calling as I will retire. But that time has not come yet. 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It was 40 years ago that I embarked on a plane to bring me to Africa. As a student I was privileged to do some fieldwork in what was then called Swaziland and now Eswatini. Full of knowledge, studying development economics, but also full of naivety, I went to the continent of sun, warmth, tropics, and beauty. That was my first mistake: it is not warm at all in Joburg in July. 

What I saw in Swaziland was a largely rural country with severe poverty. But I also noticed people, caring for each other. I learned about ubuntu -I live because you are- in Swaziland and later in so many other countries in Africa. Ubuntu still exists, as I can ascertain after 40 years of traveling on this continent. But it has changed. If I compare ubuntu in Europe with ubuntu in Africa: yes, I can clearly recognize it. If I compare ubuntu of 40 years ago with now, it is much less prevalent. Social structures have changed. Life has hardened, often because ubuntu has lost its significance. Just two days ago I was in Marsabit, hearing the stories about harsh and prolonged violence that had caused so much havoc: there, ubuntu had given way to ethnic identification combined with politicization. Now, peace is restored, but the challenge is still to find back the meaning of ubuntu, within communities, between communities, between men and women, between the young and the elder. I see Ubuntu as the African answer to exclusion.

On my journey through time on the African continent, I saw a lot of development, of economic growth. And Kenya stands out. But not in all parts of the country. Inequality widens, which is also a dimension of exclusion. Also, in other countries and between countries: development has not been accessible for all. That is why we have SDG’s with as main theme: Leave No One Behind. It is a cry from the international community to not forget those less connected to the centers of welfare and growth. A cry to the collective of countries and to governments within countries.  A cry for ubuntu, that is as relevant today as it was a decade, and even longer, ago. I hope the Summit of the Future, happening later this year, will reconfirm ubuntu. 

In those 40 years, I have witnessed many crises in Africa, but never so many as now: in the West, with Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso in internal conflicts and heavy violence. In Sudan, Central African Republic, and DRC. In North Mozambique. In Somalia and Ethiopia. And continuous insecurity in Nigeria, Libya, Chad, and South Sudan. The world looks grim, grimmer than before. Those affected most, are the ones left behind. Those who gain most from conflicts are often the elites. And yes, I lived in Sudan and in Mali and in Tanzania and now here. And I can see the benefit of the basic security Kenya provides. It is an aspiration and inspiration for many at this continent. 

The World in which Africa finds itself today is very different from that of 40 years ago. Firstly, the cold war no longer exists: it is now a hot war, not only in Europe with Ukraine and the Middle East with Gaza being heavily affected, also in Asia (Myanmar) and in Central America (Haiti) and in Sudan, Somalia, and those other places I mentioned. Respect for borders, respect for human life, respect for Rule of Law, respect for international agreements is rapidly departing us. Democracy is something to fight for. I strongly believe that, although you would not believe so reading social media messages. Dirt, disinformation, and finger pointing undermines a believe that change for the better is possible. There should be no room for apathy, but that is exactly the consequence when people turn their head away. It is a drifting away from ubuntu. 

Sometimes factually correct news is equally disturbing. We now see that the drylands and open erosion that I saw so often during those 40 years, have a common denominator: climate change. In economic terms climate changes may provide opportunities, in social terms and in day-to-day life we can all see the devastating impact, including many people forced into displacement. Kenya offers hospitality to the UN: UNEP and UN Habitat. Both help to bring science, data, political agendas, and norm setting together. In 2024 the outcome of the UNEA was not as ambitious as hoped for, but discussions continue, and the next round will provide new opportunities as the world needs to address the triple planetary crisis. Not to do so is a heavy burden for future generations; we should feel ubuntu across generations!

What are my lessons and what should be our lessons?
1.    Leaving No One Behind is as relevant as ever and an agenda we need to work on, even much harder than before. Ubuntu is a true African value that requires a boost as it will bring cohesion, as it will prevent people to become anonymous and it will open the way to peaceful co-existence.
2.    Economic growth needs to be inclusive as only then it will give people freedoms to provide for themselves and their direct communities. Governments will never be able to provide all the means necessary for people to be fully resilient and provide for individual and family growth. But governments are essential to help and facilitate.
3.    Stability is crucial: without stability economic improvement, social development and a better life will not materialize.

This is why my last posting in Kenya was such a comforting eye opener: this is a country with opportunities to succeed on all those fronts. As in any country, including my own, challenges remain.  But I can see a recognition that too many people are left behind and that is encouraging. Yes, exclusion is prevalent: women do not have equal opportunities to men; ASAL areas are less privileged than the productive counties in the Rift Valley; youth find it difficult to access the labor market; and sexual discrimination, harassment and crime is the most prevalent misconduct in the country. Unlawful practices of FGM continue; corruption works to the benefit of elites, putting middle class and poorer communities further aback. A lot of work needs to be done, and it can be done! With many groups and persons in society, within government and in private sector who want to engage. The social contract is not dead, but just needs new energy. That gives me hope.

Equally economic growth has lots of potential: agriculture can deliver more than it does now: the land issue needs to be resolved, agro-processing provides opportunities for employment and value addition, value chains need to be more cohesive. And here again: corruption is costing the society at large a lot, whereas the gains are only for a few. Fake fertilizers tell exactly that story! Digitalization offers opportunities in all sectors and Kenya is well placed to benefit from those chances. The gateway position towards the hinterland markets requires better logistics and infrastructure, but the starting position is promising. The country is keen on innovation: all in all, Kenya has a good starting position. Make life even better for the private sector to flourish, I would like to call on government.

Stability is well assured at a basic level. Nevertheless, criminality requires full attention of security services. People disappeared and lost their lives without proper investigations being conducted. Whether it is cattle raiding, financial malversations or digital crime: government has recognized the dangers and is willing to act and is acting. But it is not yet enough to make people feel safe. People are fleeing for the consequences of climate change, drought, or floods. I have witnessed a government that wants to prevent disasters to have a large impact. After every crisis, less people can rebounce than were originally affected, leading to an increase of poverty. That is why resilience is so important. Reaching out to the population, work with civil society facilitated by devolution is a strong card Kenya can play. It helps equally to share power and thus helps to arrive at political stability. I have not seen many countries with such a strong constitution, that is often asked to provide protection. The Judiciary stands ready, increasingly showing more capacity to conduct its business. Of course, it can reach out more, but with its strategy for people centered justice, I believe the Judiciary is on the right track. It played a crucial role in a peaceful election and transition of power. The country is aware of the risks of terrorism, inside Kenya, but also around the country. Active regional policy is visible: Kenya is clearly using its assets to promote stability in the region and worldwide, a role we commend.  

Back in Kenya, the Bottom-Up Economic Transition Agenda shows a keen interest by the government to improve the economic means for the population. A difficult trajectory with many potential setbacks. But as a point of orientation, it is encouraging. The country is facing financial difficulties: debt service remains high; tax pressure is still too low whereas at the same time population and private sector are seeking ways to deal with the already heavy and often unpredictable tax burden. Challenges enough, but again the government is showing a commitment to sail the waves.

I look back at a fascinating time and I leave while so many fascinating problems and challenges are still to be faced. And I just raised many challenges, problems if you like. But I leave full of confidence that Kenya is on the right track. We have - as an embassy - tried to analyze what the role of the Netherlands could be. And what I mentioned above are exactly the pillars in our strategy: economy, LNOB and Stability. On all these fronts we have programs, and we try to be a constructive partner. With Kenya and together with our EU partners and beyond. We will do our best to make sure that the relationship between the Netherlands and Kenya will flourish even more and I am sure that we will give it a major push later this year.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I have taken too long, I am sorry. But this was my last one, so I hope you don’t blame me. To conclude: you see me here, but I do not stand alone: colleagues from the embassy, show yourself by raising your hands as I call upon you. 
•    my political section.
•    my trade & investment team, including the Agri section.
•    my team of attachés, regional advisers, and Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN.
•    my management assistants
•    My administrative staff and drivers.
•    My consular team.
•    My development cooperation team.
•    My housekeeping staff.
•    My control section.
•    My Somalia team.
•    My colleagues from Khartoum and, of course:
•    My Deputy

We all say: asanteni sana and tuonana! Let us practice ubuntu to make an even better world.