SPEECH BY H.E. MARGARET KENYATTA THE FIRST LADY OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA DURING THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY LADY SPOUSES ASSOCIATION (N.A.L.S.A.)/NATIONAL COHESION AND INTEGRATION COMMISSION (NCIC) PRAYER BREAKFAST MEETING AT INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL, NAIROBI ON FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2015.

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am delighted to join you this morning, in our drive to restore Kenyas cohesiveness.

Kenyans are determined to live together as one nation irrespective of our different social, religious, political and cultural affiliations. I say this is possible.

The recent incidences we have witnessed where fellow Kenyans raised weapons against other Kenyans, destroying lives and property must come to an end. Such destruction can only hurt Kenya and widen the gap of animosity.

This is why we must appreciate the quick response by NALSA to assist the people of Nadome who were affected by cattle rustling incidents through prompt donation of relief items.

I am proud to be part of the initiative by NALSA to unify Kenyans in their diversity. You have taken the bold step of bringing our people together and working towards breaking down suspicions and other stereotypes that bar our people from living together harmoniously.

As your patron, I fully support any measures that NALSA takes towards the restoration of national values.

As a mother, it is increasingly becoming difficult to watch our societal values disintegrating. We cannot continue to boast of a fast growing economy, but forget to nurture the people who will run the nation in the future - the youth.

NALSA, I am informed, is planning to launch a series of programs nationwide that will strengthen patriotism, morality, ethics, religious value and the common standards of our people.

As I stated recently, as a nation, we need to embrace our rich and progressive culture. Through culture, many values have been passed down to us from generation to generation.

Kenya is a prayerful nation, and we know that much has been achieved through the power of prayers. I encourage you to hold many such prayer events in future, and wish to thank the National Cohesion and Integration Commission and NALSA for organizing this particular event.

Finally, lets remember that if there is one law that binds people of all faiths; it is the Golden Rule that we should treat others as we would wish them to treat us.

The Torah says Love thy neighbour as yourself. In Islam, there is a Hadith that states: "None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself. The Holy Bible tells us to put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Therefore, put on love.

I urge you to use your influence as role models to propagate peace and promote cohesiveness at all levels. I also urge you to play your part as custodians of good values and to instill the same in our next generation.

Let us continue to seek God so that we may acquire the wisdom necessary to mentor and guide those that we lead.

I thank you.