'Scientists have proven that earliest remains of man are in Kenya,' Ruto cracks up AU meeting

The president, who was hosting the 5th AU meeting at the UN Complex in Gigiri, Nairobi, introduced his speech with "two tips" to the visiting guests.

Deliberately and delicately, Ruto first mentioned that Nairobi, the nation's capital, boasts a coexistence between its citizens and a scenic National Park, but it comes with a caveat.

He stated that wild animals might still find their way out of the park, despite being securely fenced, so guests should be on guard just in case they cross paths with a lion.

"The national park which is maybe 10- 15 minutes from your hotel we have all manner of wildlife including lions, we have tried to fence but sometimes as you know wild animals break away from the fence so if you take time to walk around the city of Nairobi and you meet a lion please be careful because they are wild we try to keep them inside," his statement sent the auditorium in hysterics.

Ruto went on to add that it has been scientifically proven that the earliest remains of mankind are in Kenya, therefore the nation should be recognized as the premise where the genesis of humanity took place.

"Secondly we welcome you to Kenya and give you some information that scientists, and I am one of them, have proven that the earliest remains of man are in Kenya and therefore for those of you who know the history of humankind, this is where humanity began," he said.

"So while you are here and you feel at home it is because you truly are at home." 

It is however factual that Kenya is the cradle of mankind as research has found that Kenya has a larger diversity of fossil human species remains than any other country in Africa.

The oldest human remains in Africa were also found in Tugen Hills in Baringo, dating back about 7 million years.

It has also been discovered that Kneya has some of the world's most complete skeletons among them the famous Turkana Boy which is said to be 1.6 million years old.

The skeleton is preserved at the National Museum of Kenya in Nairobi. 

Later in his speech, he called for the need to build a more integrated, prosperous and stable Africa, driven by its own people, leaders and resources.

He opined that African integration is unstoppable as it will open doors for unprecedented transformation, noting that the African Continental Free Trade Area will be the world’s largest free-trade area, bringing together 54 countries.