President Uhuru Kenyatta jetted back to Kenya from World Economic Forum conference

By PPS

Nairobi, Kenya: President Uhuru Kenyatta jetted back into the country Monday evening from a four-day official visit to Cape Town, South Africa.

During the visit, President Kenyatta attended the World Economic Forum on Africa whose theme was “Delivering on Africa’s Promise”.
The Forum agreed on the strengthening of the continent’s competitiveness, creating inclusive and sustainable growth, accelerating infrastructure development and economic diversification.

In his address to the Forum, the President rooted for economic integration of the African countries and increased investments in women and the youth for prosperity in the continent.

The President underlined the need to quicken the pace of integration to address the continent’s economic markets fragility which contributed to Africa’s economies competition with each other in the past 50 years and therefore rendering them too small to compete globally.

The Head of State who was speaking during a session of the World Economic Forum deliberating on the theme of ‘Africa in 2063’ outlined his vision and perspective of Africa in the next 50 years.

In addition to integration, President Kenyatta emphasized that the future of Africa was embodied in the youth and women, saying that Africa not only has the youngest population in the world but also that the majority of the
population are the youth.

On the sidelines of the World Economic Forum for Africa, the President held bilateral talks with his South African counterpart President Jacob Zuma during which he thanked the Government and people of South Africa for their solidarity with Kenya in the period leading to, during and after the March 2013 general election.

In a meeting with Kenyans living in South Africa, President Kenyatta assured Diaspora Kenyans that they will vote in the next General Elections in accordance with the Constitution of Kenya.

The Head of State regretted that time constraints and other logistical difficulties barred them from participating in the last General Elections.

Saying his government will expedite the finalization of diaspora policy in order to facilitate investments and harness massive contribution of Kenyans abroad, the Head of State urged the Kenyan diaspora to take advantage of investment opportunities unfolding in the Counties which are the new centers of development.

In a one-on-one interview with the BBC, President Kenyatta expressed his government’s desire and commitment to creating an enabling environment for doing business in the country.

The Head of State further said that the Jubilee government would ensure equitable economic growth in the country for all citizens to feel part and parcel of the nation’s development agenda.

The plane carrying President Kenyatta and his entourage touched down at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport shortly before 10:00 pm.

On arrival, the President who was accompanied by First Lady Mrs Margaret Kenyatta, was warmly received by senior Government officials led by Deputy President William Ruto and Secretary to the Cabinet and Head of Public Service Mr. Francis Kimemia.