NAIROBI, Feb 28 (NNN-KBC) — Prime Cabinet Secretary Dr. Musalia Mudavadi has said Kenya continues to value and actively participate in Japan’s collaboration with Africa through the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) Framework.
He said Kenya was looking forward to participating at the TICAD 9 Summit in Yokohama to facilitate Public-Private Partnerships and create optimum value for mutual benefit between the Kenyan and Japanese public and private sectors.
“I affirm that Kenya is committed to addressing any existing challenges by undertaking economic reforms at the macro and micro level to attract more investment and deepen economic partnerships with Japan,” said Mudavadi.
Speaking during the Japanese National Day, which celebrates the birthday of Emperor Naruhito, he said Kenya was making earnest preparations to tap into the opportunity and showcase Kenyan tourism and cultural diversity.
“We, therefore, welcome Japanese tourists to visit and enjoy the rich flora and fauna and take in the diverse cultures that are our heritage,” he said.
He said Kenya and Japan, continued to work very closely on areas of mutual interest including support for strengthening the United Nations Office Nairobi (UNON) and the collective agenda to reform the UN Security Council.
“Kenya and Japan enjoy long-standing warm and cordial relations dating back to 1963 when both countries established diplomatic relations anchored on mutual respect, shared principles, and common values,” said Mudavadi.
He said Kenya and Japan enjoyed warm relations marked by high-level exchanges and visits as evidenced by last year’s official visit to Japan by Kenya’s President, William Samoei Ruto, where Kenya witnessed the signing of Memoranda of Understanding for cooperation in various sectors including ICT, Industry and Manufacture and the Infrastructure sectors.
PCS said Japan was a strong and dependable development partner contributing significantly to the attainment of our national development aspirations including the UN Agenda 2030.
“Kenya and Japan enjoy strong economic relations, including trade, investment, and development assistance for mutual benefits. Notably, Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Kenya remains the largest in the region and covers major sectors of our economy, including infrastructural development, manufacturing, and industry, Agriculture, Health, Education, and ICT,” said Mudavadi.
PCS said one of the success stories for instance, is the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) cooperation which is reflected in the rising health-research leadership of KEMRI in the region and the African continent.
“Indeed, in 2024, our President signed an MoU with Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for a Ksh 3 billion grant to aid in the construction of a high-level facility to train scientists in research and development of biotechnology products,” said Mudavadi.
He said this year Kenya had the privilege to host the Kenya-Japan Business Forum on the 15th January 2025 and the inaugural Kenya-Japan Policy Dialogue on the 20th January 2025.
The meetings Mudavadi said deepened economic collaboration between Kenya and Japan.
“Through such engagements, Kenya aims to attract increased investment, technology transfer, and market access, thus fostering industrialization and economic transformation.
He said Kenya will welcome the Japanese business delegations that are expected in March 2025 for continued engagements on issues of mutual benefit. We welcome them with open arms and encourage Japanese investors to continue exploring the abundant opportunities in Kenya including emerging sectors of our economy such as Agri-processing, financial services, ICT, and the green energy sector.
Japanese Ambassador to Kenya Matsuura Hiroshi lauded the cordial relationship between the two countries and called for further strengthening of the engagements.
“Kenya has been our strong partner since its independence and we are keen on having deeper ties with it. The warm relationship is beneficial for both countries,” said Hiroshi.
Present during the event were Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and his DAP counterpart Eugene Wamalwa, Amb. Beyene Russom, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, and Zainab Bangura, Director General of UN Office Nairobi among other dignitaries. — NNN-KBC
