Republic of Lithuania sets up consulate in Kenya, appoints SC George Oraro first Consul

George Oraro presents his credentials to Foreign Affairs CS Amina Mohamed

NAIROBI: The Republic of Lithuania has set up its East Africa consulate in Kenya, appointing Senior Counsel George Oraro as its first consul for the region.

Lithuania has been developing interest in Africa. Last year it announced plans to put up an embassy in South Africa where it has three consulates; in Pretoria, Cape Town and Johannesburg. This coincided Lithuania`s technology company BOD Group initiating the implementation of its Solar panel pilot project. The Kenyan consulate will be the first in East Africa.

The Republic of Lithuania, also referred to as Europe`s best kept secret, could be eyeing the Kenyan energy sector among other trade relations. The clean energy sector should be a golden opportunity for the country both in Kenya and across the EAC block as it is buzzing with activities.

The Baltic Nation has an estimated population of three million and is bordered by Poland to the South, Baltic Sea to the West and Belarus to the East all found in Northern Europe.

A country appoints an honorary consul when it feels it is important to have a representation in a foreign country. If the consul chosen is from the receiving country and who hitherto had not been part of their diplomatic service, he becomes the honorary consul and may combine the job with his own private activities.

It is his upstanding position in the society and dedication to solve problems at large that got him this appointment. Senior Counsel Oraro now becomes the first honorary consul for the Lithuanian Consulate in Kenya.

Senior Counsel George Oraro is a reputable lawyer with over 35 years of experience in the practice. In 2012 former President Hon. Mwai Kibaki honored Oraro for his exemplary service and conferred to him the honor and dignity of senior counsel. Recently, he was feted for being outstanding in dispute resolution by the annual Legal 500.