Envoy: German polls a model to follow

By Susan Anyangu

Kenya has been urged to borrow a leaf from the just-concluded elections in Germany.

Yesterday, the new German ambassador Margit Hellwig said as the 2012 General Election approaches, Kenya should embrace good governance and electoral reforms.

"If there is something Kenya can borrow from Germans, it is lessons on conducting peaceful elections and the functioning of proper democracy and governance," said Hellwig.

She spoke at the Standard Group offices in Nairobi during a courtesy call.

The envoy said with the re-election of Chancellor Angela Merkel, Africa will remain a priority in German foreign policy.

Standard Group Managing Director Paul Wanyagah (second right) and Group Chief Editor John Bundotich (left) have a word with the new Germany ambassador to Kenya Margit Hellwig (right) and the embassy’s Head of Press and Cultural Division Burghard Brinksmeier when they visited the Standard offices at I&M Bank Tower in Nairobi Wednesday. [PHOTO: ANDREW KILONZI/STANDARD]

"Following the elections, there will be some slight changes in government particularly in the foreign and development ministries. However, this will not to have a major impact on Germany’s policy on Africa," she added.

Hellwig said Germany’s development agenda in Kenya would flourish.

She added bilateral relations between the two countries were good, saying she was optimistic about future engagements.

"We are working on water, health and agricultural sectors and this would continue. I recently signed a contract on improving supply of clean water in urban centres. The project aims to give a million Kenyans access to clean water," she said.

Envoy welcomed

Standard Group Managing Director Paul Wanyagah, accompanied by Group Chief Editor John Bundotich, welcomed the envoy.

Mr Wanyagah said: "The Standard Group has so far had good relations with the German Embassy in Nairobi and we hope this will continue."

Hellwig, who has been in the country for six weeks, takes over from former ambassador Walter Lindner.

 

 

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