Kenya and Britain have renewed their commitment to pursue relations based on trade and investment as opposed to aid.
At a meeting between Deputy President William Ruto and the British High Commissioner to Kenya Mr. Nic Hailey at the Deputy President’s residence in Karen, it was pointed out that areas that could be of mutual benefit include Energy, Infrastructure, Agriculture and Water.
Ruto encouraged British firms to invest in Kenya’s energy sector particularly in geothermal and oil industry. He further said there was great potential in Agriculture where British firms could invest in agro-processing.
Ruto said, “We would like to have a win win situation best fashioned on trade and investment as opposed to aid,” adding, “we believe strongly that investment in the energy sector and in infrastructure will be the engine of growth of our economy.”
They also agreed that the U.K could play a leading role in the modernization of the port of Mombasa.
The Deputy President noted with satisfaction that British companies had invested in Kenya’s tourism industry, in Banking, tea, coffee and horticulture adding that this investment should be leveraged further by value addition especially in the agricultural produce.
Ruto noted that in 2014, exports from Kenya amounted to Sh35.9 billion while exports amounted to Sh47.03 billion.
The British High Commissioner acknowledged the pivotal role British companies play in Kenya’s economy noting that the top 10-taxpayer companies in Kenya are British.
“We are the number one source of tourists to Kenya and we would like to maintain that position. We also feel that continued increase of investment in the energy sector, particularly in geothermal and in oil will create job opportunities for Kenyans,” said Mr. Haily.
The High Commissioner said U.K will continue partnering with Kenya in the fight against terrorism especially in areas of counter terrorism.
He conveyed condolences to Kenya following the recent attacks to an AMISOM military camp in Somalia where many Kenyan soldiers lost their lives and others injured.
The U.K. lifted its previous restrictions against all but essential travel to within 15 kilometres of the coast in Malindi from Galana (Athi-Galana-Sabaki) river down to Watamu.
