Moses Kuria has explained why he was not part of President William Ruto's delegation that received US Trade Representative Katherine Tai at State House in Nairobi in July during his tenure as Trade CS.
During a citizen TV show, Kuria said that US Trade Representative Tai refused to meet with him because of his sentiments about Azimio la Umoja-led anti-government demonstrations that were taking place at the time of her visit.
"There was a misunderstanding created by Ambassador Katherine Tai. The US Representative has been a great friend of mine right from day one. When she came here, we were in the middle of our politics and maandamano and somebody did not like what I said about those people who were demonstrating and the American embassy gave that advisory that they don't want to deal with me," Kuria said.
When questioned by Jeff Koinange why he did not attend Ruto's official state visit to the United States in September. Kuria said he did not come because the US delegation had stated unequivocally that they did not want to engage with him in July.
"I thought the Americans have issues with Moses Kuria; why should Moses Kuria come between Kenya and America. Moses Kuria is not selfish, he loves his country so I decided to stay out," he said.
"In any case why would a person come to my country and say they don't want to meet me and then I go to their country?"
Tai was in Kenya to enhance economic ties with both countries and when asked why the then-trade CS was not in the meeting, she said the Kenyan government had the answer to that question.
“I did not meet with CS Kuria, in terms of why I did not meet with him, I would have to refer you to the Kenyan government,” Tai said.
“My visit here is about enhancing, deepening and broadening the US-Kenya relationship in economics as well as the US economic relationship with East Africa.”
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