Boemedi Jwa Kenya Kenya High Commission - Botswana
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Boemedi jwa Kenya Kenya High Commission - Botswana Newsletter March 2014 President Uhuru Kenyatta on an official visit to Botswana Konza City where African silicon savannah begins Konza Techno City is a Business Process Outsourcing project that is being marketed by the Government of Kenya through the ICT Board. The city will have a science park, a convention centre, shopping malls, hotels, international schools and a health facility. 2 Kenya High Commission- Botswana Newsletter KENYA HIGH COMMISSION BOTSWANA NEWSLETTER OUR SERVICES EDITORIAL TEAM CHAIRPERSON H.E. Amb. Jean Kimani VICE CHAIRPERSON Mr. Wilfred Musau MEMBERS Ms Helen Sang The mandate of Kenya High commission in Botswana Ms Esther Njoroge is to articulate, promote, protect and implement Ms Ruth Kelebekae Kenya’s Foreign policy in Botswana. DESIGN & LAYOUT The mission provides the following services: Impressionhouse • Information on trade and investment This is a publication of the High Commission of the republic opportunities ; of Kenya in Botswana. Any reproduction of articles therein • Facilitation of trade missions; should be acknowledged. • Advisory services in fields such as education, employment opportunities Comments and opinions on any issues to be directed to: • Information on Kenya’s foreign policy; Kenya High Commission • Provision of consular services to Kenyans at Zebra Way, off Chuma Drive: plot 2615 home and in Botswana; Private bag BO 297 • International jobs; Gaborone • Mediation and arbitration of disputes involving Kenyans, Foreign missions/ organizations Tel: +267 3951408 Fax +267 3951409 www.khcbotswana.org.bw Our business hours are: Email: [email protected] Monday- Friday- from 8:30 am-4:30pm Twitter: @KHC_Botswana Facebook: Kenya High Commission in Botswana contents Botswana Summit on Elephants 21 - 22 Message from the High Commissioner 4 Commonwealth Heads of Public Service meet 23 President Uhuru Kenyatta’s visit to Botswana 5 - 8 Mission opens Condolence book 24 President Kenyatta sworn into office 9 Benchmarking visit by Kenya National Police 25 High Commissioner Presents Credentials 10 African countries signs Gaborone Declaration 26 Kenya@50 celebrated with pomp and Jubilation 11 - 13 Jubilee Madaraka day celebrations 27 Kenya High Commission wins another prize at Maasai Mara lands top award 28 Global Expo 2013 14 - 15 Kenyan athletes win the Steinmetz News in Pictures 16 - 19 Gaborone Marathon 29 African Environment Ministers meet 20 Award winning actress Lupita Nyong’o 31 Kenya High Commission- Botswana Newsletter 3 Message from H.E the High Commissioner t is my pleasure to present to our esteemed readers the 1st Iedition of the newsletter of the Kenya High Commission in Botswana. This edition comes at a critical time in our country`s development. Almost one year ago we witnessed the historical elections that ushered in our fourth elected government since independence under the leadership of H.E. President Uhuru Kenyatta. The celebrations of our Golden Jubilee under the theme “Pamoja twasonga mbele” “Unity, Prosperity and Kenya as Home of the Greats” continue to inspire us and the H.E. Amb. Jean Kimani Kenyan community in Botswana organized various activities which included; a blood donation, a cleanup campaign in Tlokweng, a charity walk and golf tournament which managed to raise funds which were donated to a childcare trust in Gamodubu. It is a year since I arrived in Botswana and as a mission we are delighted by the achievements that we have made and the fruitful engagements that we have realized in the past year as we have endeavored to strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries. We were particularly delighted to host H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta during his official visit to Botswana as well as the visit to Kenya by His Excellency President Lt. Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama when he joined Kenyans in Nairobi at the celebrations to mark Kenya`s Golden Jubilee. We have witnessed enhanced growth in the partnership with Botswana and look forward to further engagement and cooperation in key areas including trade, tourism and environment, education, sports and the promotion of agriculture sectors especially in horticulture and beef production. In July 2013 at the Botswana Consumer Fair the Mission won the prize for the best stand in the Diplomatic Category and also got 1st position in the Diplomatic Missions’ category at the Global Expo Botswana which was held in November 2013. Under public diplomacy we highlight the national celebrations; 50th Jamhuri Day (12th December 2013), Mashujaa Day (20th October 2013) and Madaraka day (1st June 2013). We also have pictorials of some of our most memorable moments during this reporting period. We encourage you to read this newsletter and provide us with suggestions and information that we could use to serve you better Happy reading Asante sana Kealeboga 4 Kenya High Commission- Botswana Newsletter President Kenyatta visits Botswana he year 2013 was a historic one for the Kenya/ Botswana relations which saw bolstering of cooperation between the two countries as President Uhuru Kenyatta made an official visit to the Republic of TBotswana on 6th November 2013 at the invitation of President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama. The President and his host President Khama held official talks on bilateral issues of mutual interest. President Kenyatta was accompanied by the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Trade Amb. Amina Mohamed, Principal Secretary Dr. (Eng).Karanja Kibicho, the Private Secretary Jomo Gecaga and other senior government officials. President Uhuru Kenyatta addressing Kenyans The President also met the Kenyan community comprising over 700 professionals. President Kenyatta briefed them on the agenda of the Jubilee Government and urged all Kenyans to ensure that they remain united and peaceful. He noted that every Kenyan from whichever corner of the country has an opportunity to make a contribution to Kenya. Despite many challenges and setbacks, his government had made notable strides towards realization of the promises made to the Kenyan people in areas such as the implementation of the devolved system of government which is a key component of the Constitution, streamlining government operations and ensuring rapid economic growth. One of the key pillars of this economic growth is the Uwezo Fund which he personally launched a few months ago and whose aim is to expand credit for youth and women businesses and enterprises. He assured the community that his government will work to ensure that they enjoy all their rights as Kenyans, including the right to vote in national elections. The President informed the Kenyans that his government was involved in talks with the countries in the region that are aimed at facilitating movement of people, goods and services. He disclosed that East Africa was showing the way forward and from January 2014 people would be able to cross the borders with only an identity card. Kenya High Commission- Botswana Newsletter 5 President Uhuru Kenyatta being welcomed by Vice President of Botswana Dr. Ponatshego Kedikilwe at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport The Kenyan Diaspora all over the world plays a critical role in national development and that their remittances are a major source of foreign exchange and a significant source of economic activity in various sectors. The president assured Kenyans that the Diaspora policy will soon be launched and will facilitate involvement of Kenyans working abroad in development initiatives in the country. The Policy will unlock the huge Diaspora potential through improved provision of information and services and establishment of reliable Diaspora database, encourage development of Diaspora intellectual networks , mobilization of the Diaspora through virtual participation, participation of the Diaspora in the country’s governance, improvement of mechanisms for remittances, the capacity of the Government and other institutions and in engaging the Diaspora in Economic and socio-cultural developments. The President urged the Community to join hands with other Kenyans at home and across the world in celebrating 50 years of independence in order to make this a meaningful and memorable milestone in the nation’s history. President Uhuru Kenyatta flanked by Cabinet Secretary Amb Amina Mohammed, High Commissioner Amb Jean Kimani and the Principal Secretary Dr. Karanja Kibicho responding to questions during the meeting with the Kenyan community 6 Kenya High Commission- Botswana Newsletter Welcoming H.E the President the High Commissioner Amb. Kimani noted that there are over 5000 Kenyan professionals in Botswana and Kenya has played a key role in building the capacity of institutions in Botswana and lauded the warm relations between Kenya and Botswana. Kenya and Botswana enjoy warm bilateral relations; with a history of cooperation dating back to the latter’s independence in 1966.This cooperation has been in sectors including education and training, agriculture, environment and wildlife conservation and transport. The two countries have a Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation (JPCC) whose third session was held in November 2011 during which several MOUs were concluded. The next session of the JCC will be held in Botswana later this year. President Kenyatta with Vice President of Botswana Dr Ponatshego Kedikilwe being entertained by Botswana Traditional Dancers Kenyan community listening keenly to H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta Kenya High Commission- Botswana Newsletter 7 H.E. President