Germany keen to cement ties with Kenyans

A tutor during a practical lesson at Mpeketoni Vocational Training Centre in Lamu. Germany is preparing a joint programme of technical training with Kenyan companies and technical and vocational training and education (TVET) institutions and establishment of an East African-German University for Applied Sciences. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The eastern German uprising reminds us of the fundamental values of democracy, freedom of speech and rule of law.
  • Germany creates jobs for young people by offering methods of education that connect theoretical knowledge with practical skills.
  • The German government is ready to continue its advisory programmes to Kenyan institutions.

Today is the Day of German Unity, when, 28 years ago, Germany, which had been forcibly split into West and East republics, was reunited.

The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 led to the opening of the Communist regime to international negotiations on reunification.

But it was not brought about by external forces but the citizens, who held peaceful demonstrations triggered by bad governance, restriction of personal liberties, economic decline and collapse of the Communist bloc.

FREEDOM OF SPEECH
The eastern German uprising reminds us of the fundamental values of democracy, freedom of speech and rule of law that Kenya and Germany share in their constitutions.
Personally, I remember those moments vividly as I grew up and studied in former East Germany. Had it not been for this shining hour of democratic resistance and recovery of civic liberties, I would most likely not have joined the Foreign Service and, ultimately, the German Ambassador to Kenya.
During my first weeks in Nairobi, I have noticed the vibrancy of Kenyan society, its unique blend of modern technology and traditional lifestyles.

Coming from a country facing serious challenges of an ageing population, one cannot overlook the great amount of young people eager to find work, study hard or have founded start-ups.

JOBS
Germany creates jobs for young people by offering methods of education that connect theoretical knowledge with practical skills and training within companies, making it have one of the lowest unemployment rates in Europe.
We are preparing a joint programme of technical training with Kenyan companies and technical and vocational training and education (TVET) institutions and establishment of an East African-German University for Applied Sciences.

Initiatives include motivating young Kenyans to engage in politics and teaching them agricultural skills.
FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION
My aim is to establish a mutual understanding of Kenyan and German concerns and hopes and to see where we can best support Kenya in its efforts for the future.
One of these efforts at present is the fight against corruption. We very much welcome the determined steps taken by President Uhuru Kenyatta. The misuse of public resources can never be seen as a legitimate action and those who have committed crimes of corruption should be held accountable.
The German government is ready to continue its advisory programmes to Kenyan institutions, tackling what is probably the major obstacle to economic and social development.
Finally, the regional office of the German Academic Exchange Service in Nairobi — one of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa — offers scholarships to young Kenyans. Among numerous other German institutions are the German School, the Goethe-Institut and the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce. I look forward to working with those institutions and strengthening our cultural exchanges.
Kenya has great potential, an inspiring creativity and abundant natural beauty. I am, therefore, very eager to get to know its people, landscapes and culture over the coming years.

Mrs Günther is the German Ambassador to Kenya. [email protected].