Kenya’s ambassador nominee to Morocco Jessica Muthoni Gakinya was Monday praised by a section of the vetting committee following her presentation.
She was vetted by parliament ahead of her posting.
Gakinya, a Business Development Manager at Safaricom told the committee she was ready to market Kenya as the best destination for investment.
She showcased her qualifications before the Parliamentary Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations as an ambassadorial nominee to Rabat, Morocco.
Gakinya said the first step will be to encourage investors from the Kingdom of Morocco to establish a fertiliser factory in Kenya, facilitating easier access to essential agricultural products for Kenyan farmers.
She said she would also market tea and other products while in Morocco.
“The people of the Kingdom of Morrocco are consumers of green tea. I will partner with stakeholders and market Kenya's green tea and coffee, taking advantage of Africa's Continental free trade area and utilising the Ports of Tangier and Mombasa,” she said.
Committee chair Nelson Koech complemented Gakinya saying he was impressed by her performance.
“I am not approving you but you’re the first nominee to appear having thoroughly researched and understood the intricacies of the host country,” he said.
The opening of a full-fledged diplomatic mission in Rabat has been completed, signalling a total turn from previous government stances in bilateral ties between the two countries.
Establishing an embassy in Morocco means Kenya will take its diplomatic presence in the country from an honorary consulate which was headed by Ali Bajaber, a Kenyan national, to a full embassy with a resident ambassador.
Gakinya, who previously served at the Kenya Fisheries Board, traced her upbringing in a lesser-known village in Embu County, where she was raised in a family involved in both teaching and farming.
When asked by Baringo Central legislator Joshua Kandie about strategies to balance trade volumes, Gakinya responded;
“There is significant potential for Kenya in Morocco.”
A graduate of sociology and communications, Gakinya wowed the committee with a comprehensive introduction, emphasising her extensive relations-building experience.
Morocco is the second biggest exporter of fertiliser after China, largely thanks to its phosphate reserves which comprise 70 per cent of the world’s known reserves.
Morocco has an economic presence in Kenya, chiefly via Attijariwafa Bank, a Moroccan multinational commercial bank and the Bank of Africa, and it hopes the fertiliser plant will strengthen its foothold in East Africa and Kenya in particular, which suffers from a shortage of fertiliser.
Gakinya added;
“Morocco has a large population that consumes tea and coffee, and Kenya is a major producer of both in East Africa.”
She stated her intention to explore opportunities to tap into the Moroccan market for green tea and coffee.
“Morocco's population also takes coffee. They get their coffee from Indonesia and Vietnam, and with the AfCFTA, I will encourage very much if approved for Morocco to source their coffee from Kenya,” said the nominee.
Parliament is vetting newly appointed ambassadors' nominees ahead of planned approval, appointment and posting.