According to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, the government is eager to ensure the success of the Kenya-United Kingdom partnership, which is critical in deepening bilateral relations.
Speaking to the new UK High Commissioner to Kenya, Neil Wigan, at the Official Residence in Karen on Wednesday morning, the Deputy President said the two countries were eager to explore new areas of cooperation under the Partnership and strengthen existing cordial ties.
The 2020-2025 Partnership focuses on mutual prosperity, security and stability, sustainable development, climate change, and people-to-people interaction as key pillars.
“Our ties date back to the 19th century when the British came to Kenya. Since then, we have partnered in the development of our country in many sectors. This is a friendship and partnership we would like to see grow in strength,” said the DP.
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Mr Gachagua stated that Kenya and the United Kingdom have had flourishing relations in many sectors for many years, including security cooperation, fighting terrorism in the region, intelligence gathering, and trade.
“We have thwarted many attempted terrorist attacks because of our close cooperation with the United Kingdom,” he added.’
With trade between the countries still skewed toward the United Kingdom, Kenya's Deputy President called for more markets for Kenyan products such as tea and coffee.
“We want more exports to the United to ensure balanced trade between the two countries,” he added.
Mr Wigan, who took over for former High Commissioner Ms Jane Marriot in July, praised the friendly relations and stated that his country was eager to strengthen them for the mutual benefit of the two countries.
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“The relations are strong and we look to do much more in technological advancements, innovation, climate change and renewable energy. We want to keep the security cooperation even stronger,” he said.
The DP assured the envoy that President William Ruto's administration is ready to deal with obstacles impeding British investors to increase foreign investment in the country.
"We are dealing with red tape and bureaucracy to streamline the business environment in order to attract more investors in our country," said the DP, who assured Mr. Wigan that his office was always available for consultations on investment and trade opportunities in the country.
With the United Kingdom being one of the leading destinations for Kenyan tea and coffee, the Deputy President stated that the reforms in the sub-sectors were aimed at increasing farm production and improving farmer income.
“We are ready to explain what we are doing in these sectors and show the positive outcomes,” he said.
