NEW ENVOYS

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 22 - President Mwai Kibaki on Tuesday received credentials from four incoming envoys.

The new envoys were Ambassador Luis Javier Campuzano of Mexico, Ambassador Ghurum Bin Said Bin Ghurum Bin Malhan of Saudia Arabia, Ambassador Emmerence Ntahonkuriye of Burundi and Ambassador Kosit Chatpaiboon of the Kingdom of Thailand.

Welcoming the ambassadors, President Kibaki urged them to travel freely and interact with Kenyans across the country so as to effectively discharge their duties.

The President also informed the envoys that they were free to consult him regularly in their endeavour to promote and enhance the existing cordial relations between their countries and Kenya.

Speaking while presenting his credentials, Ambassador Campuzano of Mexico noted that the expanding ties between his country and Kenya were epitomized by the launch of the first meeting of consultation mechanisms in matters of common interest between the two countries in January.

The Mexican Ambassador pointed out that the meeting fostered a closer economic, political, diplomatic, cultural, scientific and technical cooperation.

“I am also aware of the possibilities that exist to further South—South cooperation and advance the betterment of our people,” Ambassador Campuzano said.

On their part, the Saudi, Burundi and the Thai ambassadors expressed optimism that during their tour of duty relations between Kenya and their respective countries would be taken to a higher level for the benefit of the citizens of Kenya and their countries.

The Thai Ambassador particularly noted that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Kenya and Thailand in 1967, the two countries have widened cooperation in various fields of mutual benefit.

“The bond of friendship and cooperation between Kenya and Thailand has even been deepened at the people to people level in recent years, witnessed by increasing contacts and visits between the people of our two countries,” Ambassador Chatpaiboon said.

Present during the occasion were Foreign Affairs Minister Moses wetangula and Permanent Secretary Thuita Mwangi.