EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA WASHINGTON, D.C. MESSAGE FROM H.E. AMB. DAVID KERICH TO VITENDO 4 AFRICA DURING THE 11TH ANNUAL GALA ON 9TH NOVEMBER 2024 AT 2050 DORSETT VILLAGE, MARYLAND HEIGHTS, MISSOURI .
Vitendo 4 Africa Leadership, the community sponsors, and beneficiaries Distinguished Guests Ladies and Gentlemen I have the honour to share this message with you and I would have loved to be in your midst this evening, but the notice came when I had so many commitments to attend to. I am also glad to learn that you previously worked very well with my predecessor, Amb. Lazarus Amayo and he participated in some of your events. I appreciate the invitation to this very important event that seeks to fund-raise for a noble cause of not only settling immigrants and refugees within the community, but also exploring other areas like health, education, and financial literacy, among others.
At the onset I would also like to thank St. Louis Bayer’s generosity for hosting a delegation of Kenyan governors to discuss pressing issues like food security. This gathering therefore underscores the power of partnership to address global challenges, and it is through such collaborations that we can make strides toward a more sustainable future. St. Louis businesses like Kaldi’s Coffee, Cargill, and Gitzell Fairtrade International are testament to the value of trade and enterprise that benefits both our economies, promoting fair trade, empowering Kenyan farmers, and delivering quality products to the American market.
I would wish to reiterate that Kenya and the US continue to enjoy cordial bilateral relations dating back to the time of independence irrespective of the administration in power. These relationship cuts across so many sectors like trade, defense, health, education, peace and security among others. Today, we reflect on the deep and flourishing partnership that has connected Kenya and the St. Louis community for over 15 years. This vibrant relationship has grown into a remarkable bridge of mutual support, cultural exchange, and economic collaboration that has enriched both communities in countless ways. So, I am very excited to learn that you are planning a trade mission to Kenya with World Trade St. Louis in April next year. As an Embassy, we are ready to assist you in your planned activities in Kenya.
Kenya also boasts of numerous investment opportunities. Our investment priorities are informed by our national vision, Kenya Vision 2030, with 5-year medium term plans. The current administration is implementing the fourth medium plan 2023 2027 and its priorities are on 5 pillars namely : agriculture, affordable housing, Universal health care, Micro and Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and digital Superhighway and creative economy. There are opportunities within these pillars and there are also nine value chains which have been prioritized to drive growth in the above pillars and these include: coffee, tea, rice, dairy, leather, edible oils, textile and apparel, construction materials and blue economy. There are also opportunities in the enablers such as power, transport, and logistics and financial amongst others. I urge to consider the opportunities in the aforementioned sectors as you visit Kenya in April 2025.
Kenya also boasts of unique tourist products in the world. It is one of the top travel destinations of choice with very refreshing experiences that you would not get anywhere in the world. Our capital city Nairobi is renowned as the only city in the world hosting a national park. I would ask the delegates attending this event to prioritize the Kenyan experience, you will not only love it, but will retell it to your generations.
For the Kenya diaspora attending and participating in this event, we acknowledge your contribution to the Country’s development and your commitment to complement the role that we undertake as an Embassy. We appreciate your growth of the remittances which last year stood at a record high of USD 4.19 billion, marking a 4.0 percent increase from the previous year’s USD 4.028 billion with US contributing 56% of this, according to the data from the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK). The government is developing financial instruments to tap this as an investment opportunity for the diaspora.
Last but not least, the Embassy is open to discuss with you potential areas of collaboration, ways of empowering our people, avenues of exploiting the opportunities here and in Kenya and how best to serve you while in the US. With those many remarks, I wish you fruitful deliberations and wonderful gala night.
