Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Defence, Soipan Tuya, has described Ethiopia’s ongoing development projects as "impressive" while attending celebrations for the 130th anniversary of the Victory of Adwa. The Minister was among several African military and political leaders who traveled to the capital to mark the historic milestone, which is widely regarded as the foundation for Ethiopian sovereignty and a catalyst for the decolonization of the African continent.

During her visit to Addis Ababa over the past few days, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Defence observed the progress of Ethiopia’s national development agenda, noting that the scale of the work serves as a significant inspiration for other nations across the region. She specifically highlighted the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which has now completed construction and commenced operations, as well as the Green Legacy afforestation program and various infrastructure projects aimed at ensuring national food security.

Addressing the broader geopolitical climate, the Cabinet Secretary warned that the current peace and security threats appearing across the globe do not allow for African nations to remain complacent. She urged leaders to draw lessons from the Victory of Adwa, emphasizing that the success of that era was rooted in a unified and collective struggle. She remarked that while a single country can only go so far in protecting its own peace and sovereignty, the true strength of the continent lies in the spirit of collaboration through the African Union and other multilateral institutions.

The Minister also reflected on the challenges of the modern era, noting that as the world is increasingly shaken by individualism and nationalism, the period where African nations remain confined within their own narrow interests must come to an end. She concluded by calling for a renewed focus on the shared values and principles that unite the continent, urging African states to work in coordination to ensure a more stable and equitable global order.