Grow trade volumes to support recovery, DP tells new envoys

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua poses for a photo with Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Principal Secretaries for Diaspora affairs and foreign affairs during a candid engagement with the new ambassadors, high commissioners, Consuls General, and Deputy Heads of Mission in his official Karen residence. [PCS]

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has asked the newly appointed envoys to prioritise expanding the export markets.

Speaking when he hosted more than 40 new ambassadors, consuls generals, high commissioners and deputy heads of mission at his Karen residence, Gachagua asked the diplomats to help President William Ruto's initiatives in improving crop production.

"If there is no commensurate market, farmers will give up. You have to help us market coffee, tea, milk, miraa and other products," he said.

Gachagua told the envoys to increase direct investments, seek bilateral labour agreements for more jobs abroad, adding that their performance will be evaluated on the economic gains.

"We want you to study the current volumes of trade. In a year, there must be a shift in capturing new markets and retaining the existing ones. There must be a difference. Your contracts are pegged on deliverables on the gains in volumes of trade, secured jobs, among other measures. Without delivery, you have no business being at the missions," the DP said.

Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi asked them to ride on the global interest on the country for economic benefits.

Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives Simon Chelugui said coffee, tea and farmers of other crops were looking forward to better prices for their produce.

Trade pacts

He pointed out the Economic Partnership Agreement signed by the European Union and Kenya on Monday, African Free Trade Area Agreement and other trade pacts as enabling frameworks for deepening the country's footprint in the international market.

Cabinet Secretary for Tourism Alfred Mutua said Kenya must occupy its rightful place as the most preferred destination. He pledged commitment in working with the envoys in promoting the country's products to increase the number of tourists.

The Secretary to the Cabinet Mercy Wanjau told the envoys that they will be required to report back on their progress in expanding bilateral and multi-lateral opportunities for Kenya.

The Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Korir Singoei noted the gender, professional and other forms of diversity reflected in the team.

Gachagua stressed that the work of trade attaches will be aligned to support the envoys in delivering on the administration's focus on economic diplomacy.

"We must seize the space to build and strengthen commercial diplomacy. You need to be extremely aggressive," he said.

Besides agroproduce, the Gachugua asked the diplomats to market the tourism sites. He said Kenyan is leading in tourist products and excursions in Africa and globally, but the country is yet to reap the maximum benefits.

"We are not doing well in tourism. We want you to lead in marketing the national parks and reserves. We also have exotic beaches. Come up with a programme of marketing these products," he said.

He asked the ambassadors to work with the diaspora community in strategically positioning Kenya as a tourist, investment and quality export leader.