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Deals worth Sh10 billion have been signed at the ongoing United States-Kenya trade conference at the United Nations headquarters in Gigiri, Nairobi.
US Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Gil Kaplan arrived in the country on Wednesday together with a delegation of more than 60 business leaders to engage Kenya on opportunities around President Kenyatta's Big Four agenda namely; universal healthcare, manufacturing, affordable housing and food security.
Speaking at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Wednesday, the US government official said his country was keen to deepen trade ties with Kenya and Africa.
“We have been charged to travel to Kenya and other African countries to find out how US can have stronger trade relations with key countries in Africa,” Gil Kaplan said.
Speaking at the opening of the investment forum on Thursday, President Kenyatta urged the US investors to take advantage of the opportunities created by his legacy plan. He also assured them that the government will address barriers to trade and also eliminate corruption.
"Given our long and well-established relationship, we can do more together. I invite US companies to walk with us on the Big Four journey,” he said at the conference organized by the US Chamber of Commerce.
“In addition to the resources, we anticipate that American investors willbring in knowledge and technology transfer,” he said.
The deals include a $20 million deal with US-based Medtronic to set up a medical dialysis centre, $40 million partnership agreement between Rendeavour and Unity Homes to build 1,200 affordable homes in Tatu City, Kiambu County and a $10 million credit line from World Business Capital.
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Correction: 10 Million DOLLARS (KShs. 1 Billion) Credit Line.
When some Kenyans hear 10 billion mentioned they start mouthwatering. Their tongues go out ready to lick and chew the cash. The culture of corruption and stealing is imbedded in our leaders. Unless a miracle happens and the donors intervene, monitor and hold us accountable this will be another 10B gone down the drain (into the stomachs of a protected, untouchable few). US, monitor your money. You mean well, so do well.
at the rate this politicians are stealing from the government with no recourse, I have no faith with this big 4 agenda. I would challenge bwana uhuru and those kangaroo courts to bring all those implicated with stealing to books. The process hasn't changed so you borrow funny accounts get opened, fake tenders get awarded and wizi iendelee. What I am saying you haven't fixed the root cause and you expect different results. Thats kazi ya kuosha kuku miguu
You can NOT Challenge CORRUPT people; they're Fools.
Anything else but food security should be left to Kenyans. Food security of a country is extremely dangerous to give to a foreign nation. How do we ever expect to take care of ourselves. Wrong move by the government!!
I see a lot of negativity, complaints and disgust on several posts so far in reaction to the posted article. I am currently and have been in Kenya for the last five weeks toiling in my small way to run a business in an environment that is frankly not that easy. Question is, once you have pointed at the plunder, theft, pillaging and greed, what exactly are you doing for the betterment of your home country? We cannot continue to be a community of perpetual whiners in the comfort of a US address while shying away from being the solution. If your relatives are here, that monthly stipend only worsens the situation by creating a dependent class instead of a productive class. I am currently in an area of Nairobi where nationalities from every corner of this globe are represented. A casual conversation with a few indicates the presence of several international businesses and NGOs. Anecdotally, it tells me that they sniff opportunities while we whine the lack there of. I respect the person who decides to reside in the US for the rest of their lives never to return. I no longer listen to the whining and complaining by people who are never the solution. Frankly, many are suffering in the US but want to put up appearances of success....I guess all I am thinking is for us to work in steering the country in a better direction rather than perfecting the art of finger pointing.
You are wrong. We are not whining. Is it whining when you point out corruption? Is it whining when you advocate for an end to woes facing the country? What does it benefit you to start a business, pay taxes, get rich, but the rest of the country is dying from poisoned goods peddled by corrupt colleagues of yours? Shouldn’t we say a neighbor’s house is burning simply because we don’t live in it? Apart from starting a business to enrich yourself, what else have you done? Kenyatta fought for Uhuru when he was living abroad, for 15 years. Was he wrong? Do your piece, and let others do theirs. This battle is for us all. We too contribute a lot to that economy. Do you know how much remittances we make every month? Are you aware of how much property we own? Shouldn’t we talk just because we live somewhere else? Have you heard about dual citizenship? The truth is truth whenever it comes from. We will continue to whine, if it is that to you, but to us, it is talking. We value freedom of speech. If it takes that to make you talk and think, we will not stop doing it.
Kamande, thanks for the response. Nothing wrong with pointing at the ills facing our country....my question is are you standing to be counted as part of the solution or do you have an endless list of what bedevils us?
After horrible customer service at four different branches of a local bank for months, I moved my business and personal banking to a competitor. Friday afternoon, I had an interview with the said bank manager and told her how her employees are unprofessional including the manager herself who kept getting interrupted about weekend plans during my final interview. Hopefully, something sunk in as I narrated to her how I am enjoying the services of a competitor.
In Kenya, I am an employer and service provider. I thrive on professionalism but make many mistakes which I hopefully learn from. I must be doing something right because a couple of employees and a few clients have been with me for 13 years+.
Remember, US had growing pains of which many diasporans are enjoying the fruits. Let's be cognizant of the fact that many sacrifices were made to make it what it is today. You have every right to whine, but please, be the change you want to see.
Ksh 10 Million credit line for the government ofcourse. That sounds like a bribe to me. In addition, 1,200 affordable homes for who? The rich of course. All in Tatu city. Glad they will be setting up dialysis units also hopefully not just in Nairobi. Once the citizens are done eating KFC, pizzas and the rest of the imported Western junk they will definitely need dialysis. Kudos.