Speaking when he bid farewell to President Uhuru Kenyatta at State House, Nairobi, Wednesday morning, the Germany Ambassador also said another German carrier, Condor Airlines, will introduce weekly flights from Munich to Mombasa/PSCU
Speaking when he bid farewell to President Uhuru Kenyatta at State House, Nairobi, Wednesday morning, the Germany Ambassador also said another German carrier, Condor Airlines, will introduce weekly flights from Munich to Mombasa.
The announcement by the outgoing ambassador boosts ongoing efforts to revive the Kenyan tourism sector and trade between the two countries.
Lufthansa Airlines will fly the Airbus A 340-300 to Nairobi four times a week from October 27, and five times a week from December 11.
The launch of the flights by Lufthansa Airlines will enhance Nairobi’s status as a regional hub.
The envoy also said his government has upgraded its Kenyan mission and now it is one of the biggest in Africa equivalent to that in South Africa.
President Kenyatta thanked Peschke for growing business, education and cultural cooperation between the two states.
“You have been very supportive to our development agenda and have not restrained your citizens from visiting us,” said the President.
President Kenyatta said many Kenyans depend on tourism and the resumption of the German airlines will contribute greatly to the revival of the sector.
He said Kenya would like to work with other governments in the war against terror, pointing out that terrorism is a global threat.
President Kenyatta pointed out that the root cause of terror is indoctrination that “is luring our young people into dangerous ideology.”
He said there is need for governments to co-operate to see how they can tackle the challenge of youth radicalisation.
“Kenya welcomes German investors. Please encourage more German ventures into Kenya. By investing in this nation, they will access opportunities in Eastern and Central Africa,’ the President said.
Ambassador Peschke said Germany supports Kenya in its war against terror and that his country would continue to worker with Kenya towards eliminating international terrorism.
The Swahili speaking envoy, said business and investment cooperation is growing between the two nations and that 130 Germany businessmen are involved in various ventures in the country.
“The German Government invested 300 million Euros in 2014/2015 in support of various community based projects aimed at improving the lives of wananchi in Kenya,” he said.
President Kenyatta also bid farewell to the Danish Ambassador to Kenya Geert Aagaard Anderson.
The President emphasized the need for transparency among partners involved in “de-radicalisation programmes.”
He said stakeholders in the fight against terror need to be coordinated in order to build trust.
He said although the government is ready to worker with the civil society and other stakeholders, concealing information on suspected individuals terrorists does not augur well in the efforts to counter violent extremism and terrorism.
He said the government would continue strengthening its partnership with all stakeholders to ward off extremists and eradicate radicalisation.
President Kenyatta thanked the Danish Government for supporting Kenya in the provision of basic facilities in the health sector adding that the Government intends to improve the quality of services in public hospitals.
“We are keen to develop this sector, not just for a few but for all Kenyans. We want public hospitals to give quality services just like the private ones and to ensure universal healthcare system is accessible to all,” President Kenyatta told the Ambassador.
The Danish ambassador said Denmark has been working closely with the Kenya Navy to tackle piracy in the Indian Ocean, adding that his Government has set aside Sh17 billion towards various projects in Kenya.
Later President Kenyatta bid farewell to the outgoing Palestinian Ambassador Zuhair Al-Shun.
The President said Kenya stands in solidarity with the Palestinian people in their quest to get independence.
“Respecting other people rights will reduce some of the hard positions taken by some individuals,” said the President.
The ambassador expressed gratitude to the President for supporting their cause, saying soon they will establish a permanent Embassy and post an ambassador to Nairobi. Currently the Palestinian mission is based in Ethiopia.
