President Uhuru Kenyatta to visit Russia, China

President Uhuru Kenyatta at Nyayo national Stadium in the past. (Photo:PSCU)

By Judy Nguta

Nairobi, Kenya: President Uhuru Kenyatta will Thursday start a visit to Russia and China in an effort to grow new markets for Kenyan produce in The East.

The president will engage in discussions focusing on new investment areas, with growth in innovation and technology as well as the latest developments in exploration and mining.

“In Moscow, President Kenyatta will hold discussions with business leaders which will be dominated by Kenya’s emerging role as a new frontier for oil and gas and mineral wealth. The discussions will feature Kenya’s drive to open new markets for its traditional exports such as coffee, tea, and fresh produce,” said Secretary Communication and State House Spokesperson Manoah Esipisu.

The President and the First Lady Margaret Kenyatta will also visit Kenya’s athletics team at the World Championships. They have been very impressed by the performance of Kenya’s athletes so far and will be on hand to personally wish them more gold medals.

Edna Kiplagat won gold in Saturday's Women Marathon while Milcah Chemos bagged another in Women's 3,000m steeplechase on Tuesday. Gladys Cherono bagged a silver medal in Sunday's Women 10,000m race.

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The President hopes to see Kenya add to its medal tally, particularly gold.

Uhuru will make his first official visit to China on 19th -23rd at the invitation of the Government of the Peoples’ Republic of China where he will hold discussions on business and investment.

The Chinese embassy in Kenya in a statement confirmed Uhuru’s invitation. 

“At the invitation of H. E. Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, H. E. Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya, will pay a state visit to China from August 18th to 23rd, 2013,” read the one sentence statement.

“A business delegation of more than 60 people – who are meeting the full cost of their travel – will join the President on this leg of his tour,” said Esipisu in a press statement.

The spokesperson added that the delegation will comprise five governors and some members of both Houses of Parliament as well as some of the most prominent personalities in the business industry.

The President and the First Lady will on their way back briefly stopover in Dubai, United Arab Emirates where the President will have further discussions on promoting Kenya’s trade agenda.