Israel pledges to introduce direct flights to Kenya

Israeli Ambassador Shalom Cohen (left) and Standard Group CEO Sam Shollei at the company’s offices along Mombasa Road in Nairobi, yesterday. Cohen said Israel will introduce direct flights between Tel Aviv and Nairobi. [PHOTO: BEVERLYNE MUSILI/STANDARD]

NAIROBI, KENYA: Israel plans to introduce direct flights between Tel Aviv and Nairobi in an effort to improve the relations between the two countries.

This comes against a backdrop of a depressed tourism sector occasioned by insecurity and acts of terrorism, especially in the coastal region.

Israeli Ambassador Shalom Cohen said the introduction of the direct flights would increase tourist numbers.

"There is not much cultural exchange between the two countries and to change this, we need to have direct ways to visit each other," he said.

"Israeli visitors know Kenya as a beautiful country and many are coming here for safaris, research or while on transit. On the other hand, there are not so many visitors to Israel from Kenya, but those who visit go there for religious, education or business purposes. I want even the simple people to go to Israel. It should not be expensive," he said.

The envoy was speaking when he visited Standard Group CEO Sam Shollei Tuesday at the Standard Group headquarters along Mombasa Road, Nairobi.

SECURITY HURDLE

He vowed to enhance co-operation in tackling security challenges with the aim of enhancing the number of visitors from other countries to boost tourism.

"Terrorism is not a Kenyan issue. We are working together to tackle this new danger of international terrorism," he said.

Cohen, however, said there is need to improve road and communications infrastructure, noting it is problematic to reach some tourist destinations.

Shollei lauded Israel's involvement in the Galana Irrigation project, noting the scheme has the potential to transform agriculture in Kenya. "We value the relationship and genuine friendship between the countries. We benefit a lot from the knowledge and technology we share with Israel in security, defence and agriculture," said Shollei.

"Israel has little rain and utilises only three per cent of its land for agriculture because most of its land is arid and semi-arid, but it is food sufficient and produces enough for export. The country is also water sufficient and we would like to learn more on how we can adopt the same," he added.

Cohen assured his Government would help Kenya in combating challenges in food insecurity by providing the know-how, experience and capacity building in agriculture technology.