- The Nation reported on Wednesday that Tai cancelled at least two high -meetings scheduled with Kuria to discuss trade ties between America and Kenya.
- On Tuesday she met patron circle members of the American Chamber of Commerce-Kenya (AmCham Kenya).
Image: MOSES KURIA / TWITTER
United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai reportedly declined to hold talks with Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria over his 'extremist' remarks.
The Nation reported on Wednesday that Tai canceled at least two high -meetings scheduled with Kuria to discuss trade ties between America and Kenya.
Sources told the publication that Tai was to meet Kuria on Monday at his Two Rivers office but canceled the engagement, labelling the Trade CS an 'extremist' over his verbal attacks on institutions and individuals.
The US top trade official reportedly expressed her strong reservations with Kuria's alleged conduct in the recent past.
"The ambassador cancelled her planned engagement with Kuria at his office. Today(Tuesday), he was blocked from the scheduled meeting with the US official but CS Miano proceeded with her meeting,'' the source told the Nation.
Kuria was supposed to attend the US-East African Community Trade Investment Framework Agreement (Tifa) council alongside East African CS Rebecca Miano but was reportedly locked out and labelled an 'unwanted host'.
A communique from Tai's office dated July 13, indicated that her visit to Kenya would mark the 15-year anniversary of the US Tifa.
On Tuesday she met patron circle members of the American Chamber of Commerce-Kenya (AmCham Kenya).
"The meeting marks the fifteen-year anniversary of the US–EAC TIFA and comes as the Biden-Harris Administration intensifies engagement both bilaterally with Kenya and throughout the continent,'' the US said in a statement.
During her visit, Tai who has been in the country since Monday, was expected to hold talks with top government officials including President William Ruto, Kuria, and Miano.
She is also lined up for meetings with labour stakeholders, members of civil society, local businesses, and private sector representatives to explore business cooperation with the US.
Tai is as well scheduled to meet youth and women entrepreneurs and discuss how the two countries can promote inclusive trade and economic prosperity for all.
Kuria has lately been unleashing offensive remarks on institutions and individuals, sometimes acerbically attacking the media and the opposition.
The CS previously rubbished the media and threatened to withdraw government advertising to the Nation Media Group over 'unfair coverage'.
He has also been posting offensive remarks on social media using his mother tongue, triggering public uproar.
Lawyer Miguna Miguna on Wednesday called out Kuria for sending a tweet in his native Kikuyu language.
"You are a Cabinet Secretary for the Republic of Kenya. You occupy a public office on behalf of 50 million Kenyans. Not only for the Agikuyu," Miguna said.
"Therefore, all your public communication including on your Twitter handle must be in English or Swahili. But you are free to communicate in your mother tongue in your household."
The tweet by Kuria loosely translates to; "Tomorrow is the day I slaughter my lamb, which I have reared. Like I told you because it's not disposed of without being cut, the lamb will not be slaughtered without being circumcised.