MY VICTORY IS YOUR VICTORY
May I paraphrase Abraham Lincoln "A house divided against itself can not stand" so I say a divided East Africa shall not stand.
GREETINGS
To the Cabinet Secretary Professor Jacob Kaimenyi, To the President AUA Architect Kaisi Kalambo, to The outgoing president of EAIA Architect Robert Kiggundu, Council members and delegates EAIA, GC Members and all those present here tonight I greet you all good evening.
RESILIENCE
Every generation is called upon to rise and fight a vice that threatens the endurance of free society, at their time. The generation Abraham Lincoln was called upon to abolish slavery, the generation of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta & Mwalimu Julius Nyerere were called upon to abolish colonialism. Our generation is called upon to abolish corruption. This we must do. For us to remain free and for us to usher in the new dawn of prosperity for all people of our nations. This is a duty our generation can not avoid. We owe this duty to ourselves, to our founding fathers and to generations yet unknown. Because when we do, when we slay this dragon, our Nations will rise to new heights of prosperity and the ascendancy of Eat Africa will be unstoppable. I may not get there individually but as a people we shall get there for the arc of history is long but bends towards justice.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I am delighted for the faith you have in me to lead EAIA, I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. Just a few years back I was little known in these circles. Because of your support I have come this far. My victory is your victory. Let's rejoice together.
Special thanks to architect Robert Kiggundu out going president of EAIA for accepting to handover power. Where he comes from they amend the constitution to prolong their rule.
Like in every family the younger brother looks upto the bigger brother to hold his hands as he takes the first steps, on this score I would like to profusely thank The former AAK Chairman Architect Steve Oundo for showing me the way. I can not forget Architect Waweru Gathecha the president of AAK for the hard work alongside Architect Flora Runumi to revive EAIA. A special mention goes to Arch. My class mate Arch. Musembi Mumo former EAIA president for holding my hands and for standing with me all the way.
To the members of Architects chapter council, I salute you, you are the silent but solid pillar of my leadership, the power behind the throne.
Not to forget the the secretariat headed by the CEO Jacob.
A king without subjects is like a speaker without an audience. A big thank you to all the EAIA and AAK delegates.
VALUES
East African community was established with a vision to set up prosperous, secure, stable and politically united East Africa through widening and deepening cooperation among the partner states in political, economic and social spheres.
HISTORY
There is a young man in our midst whom I respect so much not just because for what he has achieved but for what he stands for. The young man is non other than Our senior Trustee Architect David Mutiso. His history is intertwined with the history of the institute. We all know him as an Architect but now I know he is a visionary. When the first EAC crumbled like a house of cards he clung on to the dream of a united profession in East Africa. As we celebrate this over a century old institute we must remember that he has served for about half that period, like a benevolent spirit he was present at every turn
1950s Pre Indepence when all architects were white people
1960s he witnessed the struggle for independence and attainment of freedom by our patriots.
1970s He saw EAC collapse out of bloated egos and recklessness
1980s Fall of Uganda and attempted coup in Kenya
1990s The rebirth of EAC
2000s Formation of the Common Market & Customs Union,
2010s Monetary union and Political federation?? are we off target??
How many of us feel we are losing steam? Why are we losing steam? That for a while we have just been spinning our wheels? Your guess is as good as mine.
VISION
I come into office To Transform, to run and to grow EAIA
Transformation is our highest goal but this can neither be easy nor quick. I have walked this journey at AAK and sometimes the tensions can reach the breaking point. It's not an easy journey my friends, unfortunately if we are to make any difference, if we are to move EAIA forward and if we are to leave behind a better EAIA than the one we Inherited from Architect David Mutiso, then it's a journey we must walk.
Envisage wildebeests crossing the Mara river from the great Savannah of Serengeti to the lush green grass of Masai Mara, these animals are the true east Africans, who gives them visa? Who gives them eating permit? they are truly border less, isn't this our dream? But always there's danger lurking under the water, the Mara river is infested by deadly crocodiles, but they must plunge to reach the lush green grass.
I tell you my brothers and sisters, Our fate is not different, to bring change there's danger, but it is a risk worth taking, for a better future of lush green grass we must plunge. I am counting on your support as we embark on this treacherous Journey filled with hope that on the other side we will find a new dawn. A dawn pregnant with the promise of a greater and stronger EAIA, pregnant with EA federation, I hope to live to see this dream come true one day.
But I must warn you. There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision I make. We know the institute can't solve all problems. This victory alone is not the change we seek it's only the chance for us to make that change.
We are called upon to seize the future together, let the bright light of EAIA shine on East Africa Community, we are not as divided as the pundits believe. We are stronger than the sum of our individual countries. An EAIA Divided will not stand. The promise we sort in our unity must come true. This is the hope we must go back with to Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi that With our new spirit of community we shall sustain the institute.
Umoja ni Nguvu, Utengano ni Udhaifu.
Long Live EAIA
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