Former President Mwai Kibaki (centre) receives his certificate of appointment as a special envoy for water in Africa from Unesco Regional Director Mohammed Djelid (right) and Water Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa in Nairobi on June 22, 2016.
BY NT CORRESPONDENT.
Retired President Mwai Kibaki is officially the new Unesco’s special envoy for water in Africa.
He received the appointment certificate in his Nyari office in Nairobi.
The former president described his new role as timely as according to current statistics on water in Africa, the continent is suffering from an acute shortage and over exploitation of water towers.
Unesco (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) has been spearheading a campaign to conserve and ensure access to safe drinking water.
The retired president expressed optimism that he would succeed in the venture by bringing on board all stakeholders involved in water management.
“I am sure we will succeed. And I am sure the world will join us. Let us, therefore, put all our hearts in the job and do it properly.”
Specifically, the former head of state will be raising awareness on the importance of water and education in national policies, conveying Unesco hydrological messages to political leaders about sustainable water management and acting as an interlocutor between governments and Unesco.
Unesco Regional Director Mohammed Djelid said Mr Kibaki’s acceptance of the new role will be important in ensuring that the agency’s campaign is successful.
