the Newly Elected Alliance Africa President.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I want to thank you all for this opportunity and I am much honored that you have elected me today as the President of the Alliance Africa. It is with pleasure that I accept. I take this as a vote of confidence in the way we have worked together when I was a member of the Board. I thank you all for the trust you place in me.

I would also like to thank my immediate predecessor Mr. Stanley Muchiri for the good work he has done as the President of the Alliance Africa. It has not been an easy task to lead this organization for the last 14 years. We honor the work you have done and I have learned a lot from your fountain of knowledge and experience. You are a great leader and father for nurturing the Alliance Africa to its present enviable status.

I would like to congratulate those who have been elected today. I want to assure you that by the end of our tenure, we will have taken the Alliance Africa a step higher than what it is today. We, therefore, rely on the cooperation of all the Alliance Africa Members.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today, we live in a world full of challenges; a world searching for means of ending poverty and leading a productive and sustained life. The answer is neither in politics nor in economics. The problem humankind is facing today is due to lack of cooperation. This, therefore, is a challenge to the co-operative movement. We will work together to ensure we achieve the laid down goals on the co-operative blueprint to become the acknowledged leader in economic, social and environmental sustainability. I am sure we have the power to do so. We just need to be very smart in our planning and priority setting in our actions.

Our business model as co-operatives is very unique since it is value-based and principle-driven and as such, it is a suitable vehicle for socio-economic development of any country. Rest assured that I will work tirelessly, with my eyes on the goals we agree on together, my ears open to the voices of all, and my heart committed to all African Co-operators.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I wish to conclude these acceptance remarks with an African saying: "If you want to walk fast, walk alone. But if you want to go far, walk together with others." That’s the co-operative spirit.

Thank You.

PRESIDENT, ALLIANCE AFRICA