Kibaki receives new US envoy

Photo/PPS President Kibaki receives the incoming United States ambassador to Kenya Jonathan Scott when he presented his credentials at State House, Nairobi May 18, 2011.

By PPS
Posted  Wednesday, May 18 2011 at 13:11

A new United States ambassador has been posted to Nairobi.

Jonathan Scott Gration was among five new envoys who presented their credentials to President Kibaki at State House, Nairobi Wednesday.

Mr Gration replaced former US ambassador Michael Ranneberger, whose tour of duty ended last month.

Speaking during the occasion, the incoming US envoy said that for more than five decades Kenya has been one of his country’s most reliable partners in Africa.

“The Obama administration values this long standing bilateral relationship and views Kenya not only as an ally, but as a leader in East Africa,” Mr Gration said.

He assured President Kibaki that during his tour of duty in the country he will endeavour to further promote the existing cordial relations between Kenya and the US.

Other envoys who presented their credentials were Kim Chan-woo of the Republic of Korea, Paola Imperiale of Italy, Alexander Makarenko of the Russian Federation and Kamal Ismail Saeed of Sudan.

Addressing the incoming ambassadors, President Kibaki urged them to always work towards ensuring that the existing development cooperation between Kenya and their respective countries is boosted.

He encouraged the envoys to travel freely in all parts of the country and interact with Kenyans in order to succeed in their assignments during their tour of duty in the country.

On his part, Korean Ambassador Chan-woo commended President Kibaki’s leadership, saying the promulgation of the new Constitution and the launch of Kenya Vision 2030 have ushered a promising future in Kenya.

“As the Korean Ambassador to the Republic of Kenya, I will do my utmost efforts to contribute to the achievement of Kenya’s national goals as set out in Kenya Vision 2030,” Mr Chan-woo said.

Presenting her credentials, Italian Ambassador Imperiale hailed the existing technological cooperation between Kenya and Italy, citing the Satellite Centre in Malindi started by the two countries in 1964.

Ambassador Imperiale also said during her tour of duty she will work towards ensuring that her government increases its development assistance to boost Kenya’s economic and social progress.

“The number of projects which are currently being implemented or which are about to be started by the Italian Cooperation and their positive impact on life conditions of many Kenyans are fruits of our friendship,” the Italian Ambassador said.

On their part, the Russian Federation and Sudanese ambassadors assured the President that during their tenure they will work hard to ensure that the existing cooperation between Kenya and their countries is strengthened.

Present were Internal Security minister and acting minister for Foreign Affairs George Saitoti and acting Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Patrick Wamoto among other senior government officials.