Githae pledges to strengthen bilateral ties between Kenya and US
What you need to know:
- Mr Githae told President Obama that President Uhuru Kenyatta’s government attaches great importance to “maintaining and further strengthening the solid and profound ties”.
- Mr Githae’s accreditation marks the beginning of a new career as he becomes the head of a mission, which had been without a substantive ambassador for close to one and a half years.
- Those accredited during Tuesday’s ceremony included the new ambassador of Zimbabwe, Mr Ammon Mutembwa.
Kenya’s new envoy to the United States, Robinson Njeru Githae, has told President Barack Obama of the government’s intention to strengthen ties between the two countries.
Mr Githae told President Obama that President Uhuru Kenyatta’s government attaches great importance to “maintaining and further strengthening the solid and profound ties” between Kenya and the US.
Mr Githae made the remarks when he formally presented his credentials to Mr Obama on Tuesday at an ambassadors’ credentialing ceremony held at the Oval Office of the White House.
“We are proud to note Mr President, that over the years, the government of the United States has been a valuable ally to Kenya in various diverse areas ranging from military cooperation, technical cooperation, promotion of human rights, the fight against international terrorism, enhancement of peace in the east and Horn of Africa regions, and promotion of bilateral trade and investment. We are keen to enhance this cherished longstanding relationship,” said Amb Githae.
“I wish to solemnly assure you that during my tenure in office, I will spare no effort to further strengthen the friendly relations between Kenya and the United States. I am sure Mr President, that in this endeavour, I will have the privilege of your assistance and that of your government,” he added.
NEW CAREER
Mr Githae’s accreditation marks the beginning of a new career as he becomes the head of a mission, which had been without a substantive ambassador for close to one and a half years since the former envoy, Elkanah Odembo, left in June last year.
Some analysts have described Githae’s appointment as President Kenyatta’s man in Washington as a signal that hitherto frosty relations between Nairobi and Washington are now warming up.
President Kenyatta nominated Mr Githae on August 14 shortly after returning from a much-publicised US-Africa leaders’ summit in Washington, DC.
Those accredited during Tuesday’s ceremony included the new ambassador of Zimbabwe, Mr Ammon Mutembwa.
Others were envoys from Ghana, Macedonia, Mali, Comoros, Angola, Senegal, Switzerland and the European Union.
