Manoah Esipisu has said his new role as Kenya’s incoming High Commissioner to the United Kingdom will centre on economic diplomacy, with a push to attract investors and open more space for Kenyan firms overseas.
He made the remarks in London on Tuesday during a Kenya Society reception at the Royal Over-Seas League, his first public appearance in the post.
Esipisu said Kenya needed a stronger effort to market its opportunities to foreign investors and to make the country easier to do business in. He also said the relationship should not move in one direction only, arguing that Kenyan investors should be able to find more opportunities outside the country.
“I propose to take up, right away, the matter of economic diplomacy, which will be profitable to us,” he said.
“We all accept, I believe, that Kenya could do a far better job finding investors abroad, and informing them of the opportunities we offer. I look forward to doing my part to ease the path of potential investors looking to apply their expertise and experience in Kenya.”
“Equally, we don’t find as many opportunities for Kenyan investors abroad as we could. It’s time, in my view, to change that. it’s time to rededicate ourselves to the search for opportunities for our people, born here and abroad. We are devoted to win-win partnerships.”
He said Kenya was ready to take advantage of Brexit-related changes and pointed to remarks made by British Prime Minister Theresa May in October at the end of the 2018 Conservatives’ Annual Conference. In those remarks, May described Kenya as an engine-room of growth in years to come.
“When, in her speech at the conference, [Ms] May called Kenya an engine-room of growth in years to come, she was right. She asked the people of the UK to meet the possibilities Kenya presented. I couldn’t agree more. Indeed, I see it as my job, in my new role, to ease both sides’ search for those possibilities,” he said.
Esipisu thanked the Kenya Society for hosting the “Karibu Balozi” reception and for supporting Kenya’s interests. He also used the event to promote President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Big Four agenda, which covers universal healthcare, food security, affordable housing and manufacturing.
He said the programme would need both public and private sector financing, together with shared knowledge and expertise. He added that foreign direct financing would be important in delivering the President’s final-term priorities and appealed for support from those present.
“I expect that some of the finances will come from those in this room, you who are at the heart of partnering without country and are keen to see it ascend in its reform and growth agenda,” he said.
Those at the reception included Patrick Orr, chairman of the Kenya Society; Dr Diana Owen, director general of the Royal Over-Seas League; Kamal Shah, head of Stephenson Harwood’s Africa and India groups; Juvenal Shiundu, deputy chairman of the Kenya Society; other society members; and High Commission staff.
Tributes were also paid to former holders of the same office, including Dr Josephat Karanja, Bethuel Kiplagat, Dr Sally Kosgei and Lazarus Amayo.
Esipisu has served in government since President Uhuru Kenyatta’s election in 2013.
