Month: February 2016

Statement by Amb. (Dr) Amina Mohamed, Egh, Cav, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry Of Foreign Affairs And International Trade, During The Farewell Luncheon in Honour Of H.E. Saad Maandi, Outgoing Ambassador of the People’s Democratic Republic Of Algeria, Thursday, February 25, 2016 at the Hotel Fairmont Norfolk  (As Read by Amb. Tom Amolo, Political and Diplomatic Secretary)

Your Excellency Saad Mandi

Ambassador Of The People’s Democratic

Republic of Algeria

Excellencies

Distinguished Guests

Ladies And Gentlemen

We have all gathered here this afternoon to bid farewell and also pay tribute to our distinguished brother, His Excellency Saad Maandi, Ambassador of Algeria. Thank you all for honouring our invitation.

I would like to take this opportunity to say a few words about our departing colleague and his illustrious tour of duty in Kenya. I know this is not an occasion for me to go long on our bilateral relations, but I will also highlight a few areas where Ambassador Maandi’s contribution was prominent.

Ambassador Maandi, the short five years you have spent with us have witnessed unprecedented levels of bilateral cooperation and a flurry of activity between Kenya and Algeria. Clearly, you have been a good Ambassador of your country as well as being a dependable catalyst for revitalizing Kenya/Algeria relations.

Your tenure was punctuated by increased high level exchange of visits between the two countries, the highlight of which was the State Visit to Algeria by H.E. President Uhuru Kenyatta in February 2015, during which four (4) bilateral cooperation instruments were signed. Kenya has also played host to many Algerian high officials, including the Prime Minister.  Emanating from these visits, our two countries are now pursuing cooperation in diverse fields such as energy, trade and manpower development.

In December 2014, Kenya opened a resident embassy in Algiers, marking yet another watershed moment in your outstanding tour of duty in Nairobi.

We are indeed developing and deepening a Strategic Partnership. Our two countries have established a Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC) in 2014 and plans are underway to hold the inaugural session of the Commission in Nairobi next month.

There are a growing number of contacts and consultations between our businessmen and state authorities. The envisaged commencement of direct flights between our two respective capitals will augment our mutual desire to promote trade and commerce between our countries.

Our cooperation on regional and international issues has also been intensified. We remain steadfast in advancing the African Agenda and committed in our effort at fighting terror and organized crimes in our respective regions.

Excellency, you will always be remembered for the invaluable service and selfless contribution you have rendered in many different ways which have contributed towards enhancing a better life for Kenyans. I am pleased to note that the number of beneficiaries of Algerian government scholarship has doubled in the last 3 years.

Without your valuable contribution and coordination, I know all these could not have been achieved easily. For this reason, I wish to, on behalf of Kenya, take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt thanks and appreciation.

Excellency

Colleagues who have interacted with you in the course of your stay in Nairobi hold you in high regard and describe you in various superlatives. We all admire your energy; passion and commitment to move our bilateral relations to higher level.

Excellency, being a consummate Diplomat, you were also able to build deep relationships with many Kenyan leaders and people on the basis of trust and confidence that exist only between close friends. As we bid you farewell today, please remember that the spinning wheels of diplomatic life will turn and make it possible for us to meet again, InshaAllah.  We wish you all the very best in your next assignment, and look forward to our continuous engagement. Also, do take note that the people and Government of Kenya will always count on you as their second Ambassador in Algiers.

Finally, may I now invite you all to raise your glasses and join me in proposing a toast to the continued cordial relations between Kenya and Algeria, to the good health and long life of H.E. President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and to the prosperity of the people of Algeria.

THANK YOU.

 

 

 

CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE ON THE OCCASION OF THE 55^TH INDEPENDENCE DAY AND 25^TH LIBERATION DAY OF THE STATE OF KUWAIT, THURSDAY FEBRUARY 25, 2016

 FROM:     H.E. UHURU KENYATTA

                PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA

                NAIROBI

TO:          H.H. SHEIKH SABAH AL-AHMED AL-JABER AL-SABAH

EMIR OF THE STATE OF KUWAIT

                 KUWAIT

Please accept my heartfelt congratulations on the occasion of Kuwait’s 55^th Independence Day and 25^th Liberation Day. I wish you and the people of your country continue success, prosperity and peace.

As Kenya and Kuwait mark the forty eighth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year, I would like to hail the excellent relations the two countries have enjoyed unbroken during this period. I believe that new and existing bilateral initiatives in trade, tourism, culture, education, and infrastructure among other sectors, will deepen our mutual interest and understanding and thus enhance the already cordial relationship between Kenya and Kuwait.

May I wish your highness good health, long life and prosperity for the people of the State of Kuwait.

President Uhuru Kenyatta last week bade farewell to outgoing Algerian Ambassador to Kenya H.E. Saad Maandi. President Kenyatta hailed the strategic nature of the excellent relation and cooperation that Kenya and Algeria share.

“Kenya and Algeria have enjoyed cordial relations and we have forged beneficial partnerships to push for Africa’s agenda in the continental and international scene,” said the President.

President Kenyatta was joined by Deputy President William Ruto, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Amb. Amina Mohamed, Principal Secretary Dr. Monica Juma is a brief ceremony in State House, Nairobi. Accompanying the ambassador was the Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of Algeria in Nairobi, Tibourtine Nabil. This farewell visit marks the end of a term of five years and three months in Kenya.

 

Statement by Amb. (Dr) Amina Mohamed, EGH, CAV, Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Read by Political and Diplomatic Secretary, Amb. Tom Amolo,  during the Farewell Lunch in Honour of H.E. MR. Sunu M. Soemarno, the outgoing Indonesian Ambassador to Kenya on January 29, 2016

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen.

 We are gathered today to bid farewell and also pay special tribute to a dear friend and an exemplary diplomat, His Excellency Sunu Soemarno. Ambassador Soemarno is leaving after an outstanding tour of duty in Kenya.

Friends,

It gives me great pleasure to acknowledge the time honoured partnership between Kenya and Indonesia that is firmly underpinned by our shared principles of sincerity, interdependence, solidarity and cooperation.

Our two countries have an opportunity to deepen our engagement in areas like education, peace and security, let us utilise it.

Kenya and Indonesia enjoy cordial relations and have had diplomatic ties since 1982.

Excellency,

 We have continued to work closely for the benefit of our two countries in multilateral forums such as the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), and Afro- Asian etc.

Kenya considers Indonesia an important partner and has identified and expressed interest in opening a mission in your country. In the meantime, Mr. Bilal Asif was appointed as the Honorary Consul of Kenya early last year and we hope that the Government of Indonesia is granting him the necessary support to carry out his mandate.

Kenya like Indonesia is outward looking to have a diversified and growing economy that creates a lot of opportunities.

We look forward to the review of the JCC that was signed on 3^rd December, 2008. I believe this will bring on board new areas for cooperation between Kenya and your great country.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is the untiring and unreserved efforts of special people like Ambassador Soemarno and those like him that have propelled the relations between our two countries to greater heights, and we can hope for a bright future of partnership and shared prosperity.

The very satisfactory outcomes of Ambassador Soemarno’s distinguished service to our two countries are apparent. We are seeing an unprecedented growth in our bilateral relations.

Your Excellency,

The legacy of Your Excellency’s tour of duty is cherished by all of us. The Government and people of Kenya salute you. We wish you all the very best in your next assignment, and look forward to our continuous engagement.

It is now my pleasure to toast: 

To the success and good health of His Excellency Soemarno and to the friendship between the people of our two countries.