The Giriama dancers in action during the celebrations

There is a growing community of Kenyans here and this country appreciates the role they are playing towards Seychelles social economic development.

The principal secretary (PS) for Foreign Affairs, Mr Alain Butler-Payette, said this on Saturday December 13, at the Seafront Restaurant where several hundred Kenyans gathered to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their east African nation.

"I want to salute the role that they play and I want to express our gratitude  to our brothers and sisters from Kenya for their service to Seychelles," Mr Butler-Payette said.

He said Jamhuri (Independence) Day was a fitting occasion to highlight the relations between Kenya and Seychelles.

"They date back to many, many years, to colonial times and possibly even before. Many of our compatriots settled in Kenya in search of a better life, and we are grateful to the Kenyans for the hospitality which they offered the Seychellois there," the PS said.

He said that in recent years, the relations between the two countries have been enhanced greatly especially due to their common membership of such organisations as the Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the African Union.

He recalled that Kenya achieved its independence after a long and arduous strife led by the country's first President, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, who led Kenyans to nationhood under the rallying cry, "Harambee" ("Let us all pull together").

The PS noted that there are close to 600 Kenyans in Seychelles serving in the education, fish canning and survey sectors.

On his part, the chairperson of the Association of Kenyans In Seychelles (AKIS), Mr Justus Wanekeya, expressed gratitude on behalf of the Kenyans, thanking the government and people of Seychelles for being good hosts.

He said that Seychelles Kenyan Nite has become the largest annual gathering of Kenyans outside Kenya.

"It's the closest you will ever get to Kenya without leaving Mahe," he said, adding that this year's ceremony reaffirmed the important role that Independence Day celebrations play in mobilising citizens to appreciate their identity as one nation.

He said one of the greatest achievements of the event is its ability to mobilise the diverse groups of Kenyans working in Seychelles "for a brilliant cultural production in the absence of a consulate representative."

"Another crucial part of the festivity and the cultural show is the dinner dance that celebrates Kenyan heritage through music, dance, comedy, drama, and food," he said, and sent Christmas wishes to President France Albert Rene, every citizen and resident of Seychelles.

The evening's events included dinner made up of Kenyan and Seychellois dishes, prayers and performances by Kenyan coast's Giriama dancers.

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