Kenyatta bids farewell to three Ambassadors

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday bid farewell to three outgoing ambassadors whose tour of duty in the country has ended.

The three envoys are: Yogeshwar Sharma of India, Mohmeed Saeed Al Shakarchi of Iraq and Malek Hossein Gizvad of Iran.

The President commended the three envoys for their excellent performance saying relations between their countries and Kenya had grown tremendously during their tenure.

Bidding farewell to the Indian High Commissioner to Kenya, President Kenyatta said Kenya and the African continent had greatly benefited from the Indian pharmaceutical industry, especially in the provision of cheap ant-retroviral drugs.

He said although Indian manufacturing companies intend to freeze the production of generic drugs it would be prudent for them to consider partnering with African nations with a view of continuing the production for the continent.

“Many victims of HIV/AIDS have really been helped by these generic drugs. Kenya is willing to partner with the drugs companies so as to continue saving more lives not only in our country but in the whole African continent,” said President Kenyatta.

The President said that Kenya and India have long standing bilateral and cultural relations which need to be further deepened for the benefit of the two nations.

The Indian High Commissioner said his country has approved USD100 million to help in expanding the operations of Rivatex East Africa Ltd which is managed by Moi University.

The University uses the facility for research, product development, extension and production. The High commissioner further said his government would also want to support Kenya in developing geothermal energy sector and that it is in the process of approving USD200 million for the same.

He also said his Government has already approved a USD30 million soft loan through the Industrial Development Bank to be used in developing small and medium enterprises.

To address trade imbalance between the two countries which is in favour of India, Ambassador Sharma called on the Kenyan business community to look into ways and means of producing more quality goods that can access the country’s large market.

He commended the President for his visionary leadership which he said created better environment for the growth of democracy in the country. Media freedom, human rights and rule of law, which are key to economic growth have expanded, he added.

Bidding farewell to the Iraq and Iranian envoys, President Kenyatta said Kenya and the two middle east countries need to partner on security issues, especially on countering terrorism.

He said terror is a global challenge and countries need to have a common strategy, thinking and approach to be able to deal with terror groups.

He said Kenya has much to learn from the two countries especially on the oil and gas industry saying Kenya looks forward to the technological transfer on the same.