Kenya and the U.S. are keen to enhance their Strategic relations
Today, July 17, 2020, at White House, Washington DC, Ambassador Lazarus O. Amayo presented His Letters of Credence to H.E. President Donald J. Trump accrediting him as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kenya to the United States.
The Ambassador conveyed greetings and best wishes from H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, the President of the Republic of Kenya to President Donald J. Trump and through him to the people of the United States of America.
He noted that Kenya and US have warm and cordial multifaceted relations. In this regard he expressed Kenya’s appreciation for the recent commitment of $6.6 million by the U.S Government through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to boost prevention, preparedness, and response to COVID-19. He reiterated the country’s commitment to collaborate with the United States and other international partners in seeking a long term remedy to the pandemic.
He observed that under the Kenya-US Bilateral Strategic Dialogue Framework, which was established by the two presidents in August 2018, there is an opportunity to leverage on the milestones made in diverse areas ranging from trade and investment, universal health, military and security cooperation, regional and multilateral issues.
He also emphasized Kenya’s readiness to continue partnering with the U.S. and other global players in countering terrorism and violent extremism and also addressing regional peace and security challenges particularly in the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes regions.
The Ambassador said Kenya is keen to strengthen the bilateral economic relations and integral to these efforts will be how to diversify Kenya’s exports and optimally access US investible resources. He affirmed that following the launch of Kenya-US Free Trade Agreement negotiations, Kenya is looking forward to a mutually beneficial outcome. On commercial investments, he cited the establishment of the US Development Finance Corporation (DFC) as an opportunity for US businesses to invest in countries like Kenya.
In his remarks after receiving the Ambassador’s credentials, President Donald J. Trump noted that his arrival in Washington signified the many years of friendship between Kenya and the United States and the commitment to advancing the existing strategic partnership between the two countries across the diverse areas of cooperation.
The President said he looks forward to strengthening the bilateral economic relations between the two countries with the negotiation of a comprehensive, high-standard Free Trade Agreement. He reiterated United States commitment to supporting Kenya’s efforts to bolster regional security and particularly in the degrading of Al-Shabaab as well as expanding maritime security cooperation. He said the collaboration between the two countries on regional and global challenges will take a boost as Kenya assumes its non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the period 2021-2022.
Ambassador Amayo presented credentials alongside other Ambassadors from Zambia, South Africa, United Kingdom, Guatemala, Moldova and Benin.
Speaking in a separate function at the Chancery, the Ambassador encouraged the private sectors of both countries to have closer collaboration as well as people to people interaction. He noted that United States pre-COVID-19 was the leading source market of tourists to Kenya and looked forward to resumption of visits as the situation improves. He said that the country, besides its rich culture and landscapes provides a gateway to the numerous business opportunities offered by the East Africa region and the continent.
To the Kenyan Diaspora in the US, the Ambassador assured them of the Embassy’s commitment to continue engaging and partnering with them as they play a critical role in Kenya’s national development.
Ambassador Amayo thanked his predecessor Ambassador Robinson Njeru Githae and the Deputy Chief of Mission, Ambassador David Gacheru for the fruitful engagement with the Diaspora on matters of investments back in Kenya.
