By Kobia Mwirichia
Nairobi, Kenya: President Uhuru Kenyatta Monday received credentials from eight new envoys at State House Nairobi.
The envoys are from Nepal, Germany, Hungary, Italy, France, Iraq, Japan and Zambia.
President Kenyatta said his Government appreciated the bonds of bilateral relationships with the various countries and would work closely with the envoys to foster the friendship.
President Kenyatta welcomed the envoys to work with his Government in all aspects of development for mutual benefits.
“Kenya appreciates the bilateral relations between us and your respective countries. We look forward to working more closely to strengthen the bond of friendship for the next fifty years,” he said.
Presenting his papers, Ambassador Remi Marechaux of France said his country and Kenya faces a common enemy which encourages enhanced partnership on the fight against terrorism in all its form and manifestation.
He said his country provided direct bilateral assistance to the Linda Nchi operation and supported AMISOM with $100 million (sh. 8.5 billion) this year.
“Terrorists that we are fighting in Mali, AQIM are allies of Somali’s Al-Shabaab and we cannot effectively combat Al Qaeda on one ground without fighting all others,” The envoy said.
The France Ambassador said his country is ready and willing to offer its expertise and technologies to strengthen security in Kenya and the continent. Ten per cent of the French population is of African origin and everything that happens in Africa affects France, he added.
Mr. Marechaux also said his country will be investing in major regional infrastructures promoted by Kenya particularly the LAPSET project. France wants to diversify its relations and partners in Africa and in the rest of the world with Kenya is one of our priorities, the Envoy said.
Italy’s Mauro Massoni said his country and the international community valued the pivotal role Kenyan leadership played in countering terrorism threat to stabilize Somalia and the horn of Africa.
“We also appreciate the fact that under your leadership, Kenya working alongside partners and regional organisations, continued to be fully committed to ensuring stability in the horn of Africa which Italy supports,” he said.
Zambia’s High Commissioner Mrs. Josephine Chilufya Mumbi Phiri also commended Kenya Government’s tireless efforts in restoration of peace and security in war torn countries in Africa particularly the Great Lakes and the horn of Africa.
She said establishment of a Joint Permanent Commission attests to the desire by the two sister countries to cooperate and share ideas on various issues affecting them and the region.
“It is my desire to build on the already existing warm relations and further explore other areas of mutual cooperation that would contribute to development in the two countries,” the High Commissioner said.
Japan’s Tatsushi Terada said Kenya and his country have enjoyed close and cordial relations for the last 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations.
The new Ambassador of Hungary Sandor Koscic expressed his desire to explore new avenues of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
Other diplomats who presented their papers during the brief ceremony included Andreas Peschke of Germany, Mr. Arun Prasad Dhital of Nepal and Mohammed Saeed-Alhkarchi of Iraq.
