PSC appoints expert to oversee exports at Ministry of Trade

The Public Service Commission (PSC) has appointed an advocate to oversee trade and export activities.

PSC named Caroline Saroni as National Trade Negotiations Council Secretariat Head.

According to a press release by PSC on Wednesday, Saroni will be responsible for boosting trade negotiations and exports.

"In line with the Government agenda to increase the share of exports to GDP from 10 per cent currently to 25 per cent by 2025 and 30 per cent by 2030, the Cabinet in December 2022 approved the operationalization of the National Trade Negotiations Council to coordinate the trade negotiations mandate in pursuit of our export-led economic agenda."

"Accordingly, the Public Service Commission has appointed Ms Caroline Saroni as the Head of the Secretariat, National Trade Negotiations Council, under the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry (MITI)."

Saroni's appointment comes at a time when the Trade CS Moses Kuria has been low-key after making unprintable utterances against the media as well as other national matters.

Saroni is an advocate of the High Court of Kenya with over 17 years of experience. S

he is the immediate former Chairperson of the Advocates Complaints Commission and boasts of extensive experience in International Trade and Investment Law, having lectured at Kenyatta University School of Law since 2009.

She has also been a consultant for many international organisations in trade and investment law.

Saroni is also an Adjunct Executive Fellow at Strathmore University Business School, Institute of Public Policy and Governance.

She has vast experience in public governance and has served as a board member of the Tobacco Control Board and the Kenya Institute of Public Policy Research and Analysis.

She is an alumna of the Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance and the McCabbe Centre for Law and Cancer (Australia).

Months ago, the CS started a war on the Kenyan media laced with insults and threats.

He attacked the Nation Media Group (NMG), accusing them of being "an opposition party" and said media agencies should cancel their adverts with the media house.

The former Gatundu South MP was reportedly responding to an expose NMG ran over the weekend exposing an oil scandal allegedly orchestrated by his ministry.

Following the public outrage, the CS has been evidently missing in major state functions and when present, he is at the periphery.