Uhuru Kenyatta jets back from the United States

President Uhuru Kenyatta arrived back in Kenya from the United States, where he attended the US-Africa summit hosted by US President Barack Obama.

The President landed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) at 10:15pm and was received by Deputy President William Ruto, several Cabinet secretaries, MPs, senators, Chief of General Staff Joseph Karangi and Inspector-General of Police David Kimaiyo.

President Kenyatta’s visit focused on strengthening ties between the US and Kenya in trade, capital investment, infrastructure, energy and security.

The President held a number of high-level meetings with chief executives of major US companies keen on investing in Kenya.

He also met a select group of businesspeople who have Kenya-specific investment proposals at a forum convened by the Kenya Private Sector Alliance, the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the US Chamber of Commerce.

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Investment opportunities for US companies in Kenya’s mega infrastructure projects, newly discovered petroleum deposits and power-generation initiatives were the focus of talks during the President’s visit.

President Kenyatta assured investors that their investments would be protected by the recently opened international arbitration centre.

He said the Nairobi Centre for International Arbitration, whose board was inaugurated last year, will make investors comfortable when entering into business ventures.

International arbitration has gained popularity over the last decade as investors got wary of the uncertainties and delays of dispute-resolution processes all over the world.

Arbitration delivers quicker decisions, which are usually easier to enforce than court decisions.

The President told the business executives that Kenya’s judiciary was robust and has been undergoing reforms that are yielding positive results.