NAIROBI, November 22 – Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has challenged professionals in marketing to take a lead in promoting Kenya as an ideal investment and tourist destination.
Musyoka said marketing expertise should be fully utilized to supplement efforts by the government and other stakeholders in building a unique Kenyan brand.
“Marketers’ proficiency and skills should come in handy to supplement efforts by the government and other stake holders to build an irresistible Kenyan brand,” he challenged.
He added that the government had already formed the Brand Kenya Board, a State Corporation, mandated to raise Kenya’s profile at both domestic and international level.
“Brand Kenya Board is to formulate policies that promote Kenya’s national and foreign interests and also market Kenya as the land of opportunities”, he said.
Mr. Musyoka said Kenya has unique attractions that include rich culture, flora and fauna as well as attractive sceneries that need to be aggressively marketed to gain a competitive edge internationally.
He added that Kenya was strategically placed making it a preferred gateway to the East African region which has a huge market characterized by large population.
The Vice President also pointed out that Nairobi was also increasingly becoming the regional hub for industries, financial centre, transit point and ICT area among other quality services provisions.
Speaking while presiding over the annual award ceremony for the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), Mr. Musyoka commended the Institute for promoting the interests of marketers by raising standards of professionalism.
He said Kenya required highly qualified marketing personnel as it pursues the implementation of Vision 2030.
CIM Chairman, James Ngomeli, said the institute seeks to raise marketing standards and research and added that they were ready to work closely with the government to explore areas in which the institute can contribute in pursuit of the vision.
