By YOANA KIMWELE
State house spin master Mr Denis Itumbi has reaffirmed the importance of equality, inclusion and dignity for all Kenyans, saying the principle of Usawa means every Kenyan matters, every voice counts and no community should ever feel forgotten. His remarks come ahead of the December 18 commemoration of the International Day of Minorities, which provides an opportunity to reflect on the country’s commitment to ensuring that all communities enjoy equal opportunities and a sense of belonging.
Itumbi described the annual commemoration as an important moment for Kenya to reflect on its collective responsibility to protect the rights and interests of minority and marginalised communities. He noted that opportunity, dignity and belonging should never be determined by one’s ethnic background, the size of their community or their social and economic circumstances.
He credited President William Samoei Ruto with championing the Usawa agenda long before assuming the presidency, pointing to his tenure as Deputy President when he established a department in his office to address the concerns of minority communities. According to Itumbi, the initiative demonstrated an early commitment to ensuring that the voices of communities often overlooked in national affairs received attention at the highest levels of government.
Itumbi also recalled last year’s commemoration, which was hosted by President Ruto at State House, describing it as a powerful statement on the importance of placing minority and marginalised communities at the centre of Kenya’s national conversation. He said the forthcoming event offers another opportunity to strengthen that commitment and promote a country where every community feels recognised, respected and included in national development.
In preparation for this year’s commemoration, Itumbi said he held an engagement alongside Principal Secretaries Ummi Bashir and Silvia Museiya, bringing together teams from various institutions to review technical preparations already underway and agree on the next steps. The meeting marked a step towards organising a meaningful national event, with the message remaining clear: “Usawa ni Sawa, Mbele Pamoja” — equality for all, as Kenyans move forward together
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