The Rwandan community in Kenya elected a new executive committee during their annual general assembly at Hikima universuty in Nairobi on Saturday.

Eric Ndirabika was elected as the new chairperson, replacing Leonie Abera.

He previously served as a commissioner in charge of economy and investment.

In his acceptance speech, Ndirabika thanked members of the community for entrusting him with what he described as a heavy responsibility and promised to deliver to their expectations.

"I promise to work closely with every member so that we achieve greater results,” he said. He reminded members to maintain good Rwanda cultural values.

The outgoing chairperson, Abera urged the community members to remain united.

"We are moving from being called Rwanda Diaspora to Rwandan Community abroad because community is inclusive and goes beyond only sharing the nationality to being more of a family that shares true Rwandan values and transcends differences,” she said.

Speaking at the event, Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Kenya, Ambassador James Kimonyo thanked the outgoing executive committee for the good work and promised the newly elected committee full support of the Commission.

"Our Government counts on you as ambassadors in your own capacities and we know you are doing good work of representing our country in your places of work and businesses that you do.”

Ambassador Kimonyo noted that Rwanda has moved from being viewed in a post conflict mirror to a country on the move in terms of economic progress.

He called on all community members to avoid ethnic based differences and instead work towards a common goal of achieving social economic development that does not exclude anyone.

"I want to challenge you. If you think you disagree with the government on a given programme or a policy, let’s sit on the same table, debate about it, get to the common understanding then move forward together, but let’s avoid disagreeing just for the sake,” Kimonyo said.

He commended members for the efforts to move the community forward and asked them to play a key role as Rwandans as ‘we continue to walk the reconstruction journey.’

The newly elected members include Eric Ndirabika who was elected chair, Dr. Hermogene Nsengimana and Claire Mukarutesi who were elected first chairman and second chairperson respectively while Mylene Umutoni was elected treasurer.

Jean Pierre Ngirabahire was elected Commissioner for IT, Jonas Habumuremyi for mobilisation, Patric Ndisanze for economy and investment, Angella Kabanyana for social and culture commission while Collins Gatete was elected to head youth commission.

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