President Ruto made the remarks in a special tribute to Kagame as Rwanda marks the 30th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

He said that thirty years after the Genocide, ’the country has made tremendous progress that demonstrates the total resilience of the people and the government of Rwanda’.

“Rwanda is a shining example of the people’s immeasurable power not only to overcome adversity, but also to reconcile and live as one people,” President Ruto remarked.

The Kenyan Head of State attributed Rwanda’s encouraging progress to Kagame’s “resolute leadership, tremendous courage and abundant foresight.”

He wished the country well in its pursuit to reach even greater heights. “I commend my brother President Paul Kagame, for his resolute leadership, tremendous courage and abundant foresight. The people and government of Kenya wish him and the people of Rwanda Godspeed as they continue to build their country to even greater heights,” President Ruto added.

Kwibuka30

President Ruto did not attend Sunday’s commemoration anniversary event, dubbed ‘Kwibuka30’. Instead, he was represented by his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, at the gathering attended by several heads of state and dignitaries from Africa and around the world.

The leaders included Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Petr Pavel (Czech Republic President), Andry Rajoelina (Madagascar), Mohamed Ould Ghazouani (Mauritania), Salva Kiir (South Sudan) South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa), Faustin-Archange Touadéra (Central African Republic) and Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

Former US President Bill Clinton, Ugandan Vice President Jessica Alupo, and Stéphane Séjourné, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, also attended the event.

Five times better

Yesterday, President Kagame affirmed that Rwanda’s economy would continue to soar, reaching five times its current level in the next 30 years.

“In the next 30 years we will continue making progress and be where others are that they have even taken for granted. We see developed countries, why can’t Rwanda or Africa develop to that extent or even beyond,” Kagame stated during his engagement with the media on Monday.

He highlighted that with the right politics in the country and the region, Rwanda will be far much better than its current state.

"The Rwanda of the next 30 years should maybe be three, four, or five times better than what you are seeing now. Thirty years from our graves to being here, I think another year we are not coming from the graves; this time we are coming from some level of progress," he affirmed.

According to Central Bank Governor John Rwangombwa, Rwanda’s economy is projected to remain strong and resilient with the country’s GDP expected to grow by 6.6 per cent in 2024 after recording a remarkable growth of 8.2 per cent to hit $35 billion last year.

Kenya’s President William Ruto has hailed his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame for the tremendous growth and unity witnessed in Rwanda over the last 30 years.