The 14th Ambassadors’/High Commissioners’ Conference

The 14th Ambassadors’/High Commissioners’ Conference was held in Windsor Golf Hotel and Country Club in Nairobi between Saturday, 26th May and 1st June, 2007.

All Ambassadors/High Commissioners and Consul Generals serving in all Kenyan foreign Missions attended it.

The Conference was opened by His Excellency, President Mwai Kibaki on Saturday, 26th May 2007. During his address the President briefed the Ambassadors about the progress the country had continued to enjoy in various sectors including the following; agriculture, infrastructure, tourism, health, education and the manufacturing industry. He noted that last year Kenya had realised an economic growth of 6.2%. Due to these achievements, there was a significant reduction of poverty from 56% to 46% of the population. The Head of State invited the envoys to visit the rural areas to familiarise themselves with these developments.

Hon. Raphael Tuju, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Thuita Mwangi, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, various Cabinet Ministers, the Assistant Ministers in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Moses Wetangula, responsible for International Affairs and Hon. Kembi Gitura, responsible for African Affairs, the Secretary to the Cabinet and Head of the Public Service, Ambassador Francis Muthaura and Senior Government officials also addressed the meeting.

The Ambassadors deliberated at length on many issues including the following; Vision 2030, Foreign Policy, Governance, Security, Rationalisation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade, Tourism, Investments and Public Service Reform.

Ambassador H. Mutuma Kathurima presented a paper on the Management of Funds and Property in Foreign Missions. He also chaired one of the Sessions on Growth of Tourism: Key successes challenges and future prospects.

The Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Moses Wetangula closed the Conference on behalf of the Minister for Foreign Affairs who had left for an official trip to the State of Qatar.

H.E. President Mwai Kibaki with the Ambassadors/High Commissioners at the Conference held at Windsor Golf Hotel and Country Club, Nairobi. H.E. President Kibaki addresses the Ambassadors/ High Commissioners as he opens the Conference at the Windsor Golf Hotel and Country Club, Nairobi.
Kenya's Ambassador to Belgium and the European Union, Amb. M.G. Njuguna Kahende (l) with Amb. H. Mutuma Kathurima and Amb. Franklin Esipila (r) A conference presenter with Kenya's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Mr. Joseph K. Muchemi and Amb. H. Mutuma Kathurima
Amb. H. M. Kathurima in conversation with Amb. Alex Ketter, (centre) Kenya's Ambassador to Rwanda and the Director of E-Governance in the Office of the President Amb. H. M. Kathurima with Amb. Dr. Mary Khimulu, Kenya's Permanent Delegate to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)