Foreign Affairs ministry remains a key link between Kenya and its friends/FILE
Wetangula who spoke while handing over to Sam Ongeri said that even though credit goes to other departments, the Foreign Affairs ministry remains a key link between Kenya and its friends.
“This ministry is like the herds boy who looks after and fattens a bull and when it is slaughtered those who share the hump are different ministries, never mind where the credit goes. I am happy to do things for which I am remembered than those for which I’m praised,” he said.
Ongeri, who was the immediate former Education Minister, expressed optimism that he will fit well in his new docket and its objectives of ensuring friendly relations with other nations as well as the projection of the interests of the country.
“We have a lot of challenges coming starting with the elections; the ministry will be key in some aspects, we also have the issue of neighbouring Somalia which we are in the process of dealing with,” said Ongeri.
Earlier on Tuesday, Ongeri had handed over the Education Ministry to former Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo.
Wetangula is now the Minister for Trade.
Elsewhere, Najib Balala has handed over the Tourism docket to Danson Mwazo.
Balala, who was appointed to the docket after the 2008 post election violence, said during his tenure at Utalii House he helped increase tourist arrivals as well as boost public private partnerships.
“I want to express my gratitude to Kenyans and in particular the private sector within the tourism industry, who have helped me, serve the nation while also uplifting the sector and the economy. It has been very fulfilling doing this public service job. It takes a lot of conviction and passion to work in this ministry,” said Balala.
Mwazo said he hopes to maintain and increase the number of tourists arriving in the country which at the close of 2011 stood at nearly two million, as well as asking for increased funding from the Finance Ministry to help market the country adequately.
“Tourism is the key foreign exchange earner and I hope that if we are given five or 10 percent of the annual earnings from the sector, we will be able to reach almost the entire world to bring visitors who will come and spend here. This is one of the challenges that we will continue to appeal for,” said the new Tourism Minister.
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