• He said the produce of Kenya, skills and expertise would earn the country more money with good awareness internationally.
• The DP said Kenya leads with exotic tourist sites, but the performance of the sector remains dismal.
Image: DPCS
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has asked the new envoys to market Kenyan products to boost the economy.
He said the produce of Kenya, skills and expertise would earn the country more money with good awareness internationally.
The DP was speaking when he hosted more than 40 ambassadors, consuls generals, high commissioners, deputy heads of mission in his official residence in Karen, Nairobi, on Tuesday.
Gachagua said the Ruto administration is supporting crop production alongside reforms in key sectors and farmers are looking forward to better returns from more lucrative export markets.
“We are enhancing food 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.
The DP said Kenya leads with exotic tourist sites, but the performance of the sector remains dismal.
“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 repositioning Kenya as a tourist, investment and quality export leader.
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign and Diaspora Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi said Kenya is a country of interest globally and the ambassadors need to ride on this for the economic benefit.
Cooperatives CS Simon Chelugui said coffee and tea farmers are looking forward to better prices for their products and the envoys need to explore lucrative markets abroad.
He pointed out the Economic Partnership Agreement signed by the EU 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.
Tourism CS Alfred Mutua said Kenya must occupy its rightful place as the most preferred destination.
He pledged commitment in working with the envoys to promote the country’s products to increase the number of tourists.
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.
Foreign Affairs PS Korir Sing'oei said the gender, professional and other forms of diversity reflected in the team is good for results.
The Deputy President further said the government is focusing on economic diplomacy and the taxpayer must benefit from the investment in foreign missions.
“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," Gachagua said.
"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.”
To achieve this, Gachagua told the envoys to develop a plan on expanding trade opportunities, increasing direct investment and seeking bilateral labour agreements for more jobs for Kenyans abroad.
He said their performance will be evaluated on the economic gains to the country.
The Deputy President said the work of trade attachés will be aligned to support the envoys in delivering on the Ruto 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.
Gachagua also asked them to pursue and negotiate labour migration agreements to streamline job opportunities for Kenyans abroad.
The Deputy President said the more than six million youth have no jobs.
The number of jobs secured will also be an evaluation measure for the ambassadors.
He asked them to create good frameworks to ensure Kenyans abroad are treated with dignity and humanely.
His office, Gachagua said, is ready to unlock investment and partnership opportunities in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, and other relevant agencies.