NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 13 – President Mwai Kibaki has bid farewell to the outgoing Ambassadors, Shigeo Iwatani of Japan and Luis Lorvao of Portugal whose tour of duty in Kenya has expired.
President Kibaki praised the outgoing Ambassadors for the role they played in enhancing bilateral cooperation between Kenya and their respective countries during the tour of duty in the country.
Acknowledging the instrumental role the outgoing Ambassadors played in securing public support in their countries for development assistance in Kenya , the President said their contribution broadened the scope of development cooperation between the countries.
Biding farewell to the Japanese Envoy, the Head of State said Kenya and Japan has enjoyed warm and cordial relations since the country’s independence.
President Kibaki appreciated humanitarian assistance extended by the Japanese government to the country, the latest being Sh550 million towards construction of 8,000 low cost houses, supporting livelihood activities and government peace initiatives.
“The construction of 40,000 houses for the Internally Displaced Persons by the Japanese government was the largest contribution by a single donor towards the Kenya ’s shelter provision Programme,” the President said.
While biding farewell to the Ambassador of Portugal, the Head of State said Kenya and Portugal enjoyed cordial diplomatic relations.
The President stressed the need to increase trade and economic cooperation between the two countries saying through enhanced relations, Kenya could immensely benefit from the Wind energy generation which Portugal is a world leader.
In this regard, the Head of State wished the outgoing Japanese and Portuguese envoys success in their future engagements.
The outgoing Envoys hailed the Government and the people of Kenya for the support which made their stay in the country enjoyable and fruitful.
The talks were attended by Foreign Affairs PS Thuita Mwangi among other senior government officials.
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