This archive report was first published on 7 November 2019.
November 7, 2019, marked a significant day in Kenya's history, with Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Monica Juma justifying President Uhuru Kenyatta's extensive foreign travels as a crucial step towards the country's development.
According to Dr. Juma, President Kenyatta's duty as the head of state is to secure deals that boost the economy, a task that cannot be limited to Kenya's borders.
With over 90 foreign trips under his belt in just seven years, President Kenyatta has faced criticism from tax-paying citizens who feel the burden of his international excursions.
However, Dr. Juma remains steadfast in her defense of the President's actions, stating that his duty is to create opportunities and reduce risks for Kenya, which cannot be achieved within the country's boundaries.
“The president has a duty to grow opportunities and reduce the risks for this country. These don’t just happen within the territory of Kenya,” Dr. Juma explained in an exclusive interview with NTV and Daily Nation.
She further emphasized that Kenya's engagement with other nations is crucial for its growth, citing the country's status as the biggest attractor of direct foreign investments and its improved ease of doing business globally.
While some may view the hefty debts incurred through these partnerships as a burden on Kenyan citizens, Dr. Juma sees them as a necessary price to pay for undertaking major projects.
“There is no way to attract investment without using money. What is important is what is the debt being used for?” she said.
