Raila courts German investors

By Luke Anami

Prime Minister Raila Odinga has asked Germany to help Kenya invest more in green energy programmes.

 “As you know, Chancellor Angela Merkel has embarked on an ambitious plan to power an industrial economy on renewable energy. I propose that Kenya and Germany embark on a special partnership to promote green growth,” Raila also asked more Germans to invest in the country.

The PM made the remarks on Thursday when he met a delegation of Germany Industry and Commerce officials who hosted him at a Nairobi hotel.

Odinga said Kenya needed more investors in the energy sector to make the country self-sufficient.

He said the government had prioritized the need to invest more in green energy sources, such as wind and solar.

Cost of energy

“The high cost of energy is the most important thing that inhibits Kenya’s competitiveness. We intend to make it a thing of the past,” he said.

 “By rapidly expanding geothermal, wind and other renewable energy sources, we will completely eliminate power shortages, and substantially reduce the cost of energy,” the PM said.

Raila assured the delegation that next year’s polls will be peaceful and urged potential investors not to shy away.

 “I understand that some of you are a bit worried about the upcoming elections. I will tell you that there is nothing to worry. The elections will be free and fair. Our constitution laid a solid foundation for political and economic stability, and the transformation of Kenya into middle –income country by 2030,” said Raila,

“Even with the most difficult episode of the history in our country in the first quarter of 2008, Kenya economy bounced back quickly. Resiliency is a hallmark of Kenyan economy,” he noted.

Dr Stefan Liebing, the President of the Germany-Africa business group said there were over three million companies in Germany, yet only 70 were doing business with Kenya.