This archive report was first published on 28 August 2019.
As President Uhuru Kenyatta embarks on a foreign trip to the 7th Tokyo International Conference on African Development in Japan (TICAD), critics have been quick to point out the costs of such trips. However, these visits are a necessary investment in leadership, and their benefits far outweigh the costs.
Published on August 28, 2019, the conference began on Wednesday and will run until August 30 under the theme: “Advancing Africa’s Development through People, Technology and Innovation.”
While some may argue that these trips are a waste of public resources, it is essential to distinguish between State visits that benefit our foreign interests and those that use important budgetary funds for personal enjoyment. President Kenyatta has been at the forefront of promoting Kenya’s interests abroad, and his efforts have yielded significant results.
Under his leadership, Kenya has become a dominant player in African politics and a leader of the East African community of nations. His State visits have been instrumental in improving our security and economic situation, and in gaining more prominence at the UN.
Nairobi is already home to the largest UN office in Africa, which channels over Sh36 billion into the local economy annually. Foreign UN employees typically live in Runda, Gigiri, Muthaiga, Spring Valley, Nyari, and Riverside, generating approximately Sh1 billion in rental fees.
President Kenyatta’s lobbying efforts have also secured Kenya’s potential election to the UN Security Council (UNSC) for the 2021 year. Gaining a seat at the Security Council is particularly pertinent right now due to the threat of radical militancy in Somalia, right at our borders.
Though a non-permanent seat on the UNSC does not give Kenya veto powers, it still puts us in a stronger position to lobby for positive outcomes on our safety and security concerns. That is why President Kenyatta’s work to secure the support of voting parties is imperative.
