Prime Minister jets into Iran to market Kenya

By PMPS and VPPS

Prime Minister Raila Odinga arrived in Tehran, Iran for a two-day official visit.

The Vice Foreign Minister yesterday received the PM at the Imam Khomeini International Airport for Economic Affairs, Mohsen Talaei, the Ambassador of Kenya to Iran Ali Abbas and senior officials.

He is accompanied by a delegation including Lands Minister James Orengo, Medical Services Minister Anyang’ Nyongo, Higher Education Minister Sally Kosgei, Regional Development Minister Fred Gumo, Minister of State for the Development of Northern Kenya and Other Arid Lands Ibrahim Elmi and Water and Irrigation Minister Charity Ngilu.

Raila was later officially welcomed by Iran President His Excellency Mahmoud Ahmedinejad at his office where the Premier inspected a guard of honour and later held bilateral talks. Speaking to the Press prior to the arrival of the PM, Ambassador Ali Abbas said the purpose of the visit was to strengthen the existing good relations between the two countries.

The envoy said the volume of trade between the two countries had dropped particularly in tea exports following Iran’s decision to introduce good manufacturing practices.

VP’s farewell

Meanwhile, investments in roads, health and education by Saudi Arabia have grown over the years, Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka has said.

While bidding farewell to the outgoing Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Kenya Nabeel Khalif Ashour at his Jogoo House office yesterday, Mr Kalonzo said Kenya had benefited from her relations with Saudi Arabia.

He said many Kenyan Muslims go for the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca annually, while Saudi Arabian businessmen were investing in the country.

He commended the ongoing efforts by Saudi Arabia to help Somalia stabilise.

The outgoing Ambassador has been the longest serving foreign envoy in the country and also served as dean of the diplomatic corps. Ambassador Ashour said up to 1000 Kenya medics had found work in his country.