04 Jul 2018

Outgoing High Commissioner of Kenya to Botswana Ms Jean Kimani has been commended for being instrumental in strengthening and promoting Botswana and Kenya’s bilateral cooperation.

Speaking at a farewell luncheon for Ms Kimani, acting Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation Mr Nonofo Molefhi said besides promoting government to government interaction, she also contributed to the improvement of business to business interaction.

“This clearly demonstrates your unwavering commitment in the execution of your mandate,” he added.

During Ms Kimani’s five year term in Botswana, Mr Molefhi said, Botswana and Kenya’s bilateral cooperation grew exponentially ‘registering progress in different spheres of our bilateral cooperation.’

This growth, the minister said, was signified by high level exchanges and increased number of activities in many sectors of the two nations’ respective economies.

He also acknowledged the spirit of volunteerism and compassion that Ms Kimani and the Kenyan community in Botswana demonstrated through the wide range of charitable activities that she undertook during her tenure.

For her part, Ms Kimani, based in Botswana since February 2013, noted that Botswana and Kenya had ushered in a more dynamic interaction that was buttressed by the Joint Permanent Commission for Cooperation.

“We worked to improve cooperation in trade, investment, tourism as well as to ensure that we were able to continue building on the past foundation.,” she said.

She further said to cement Botswana and Kenya’s bilateral relations, as well as to increase international engagement they had organised inbound and outbound visits.

“We have also held various meetings with stakeholders, partners and investors to increase information on Kenya and Botswana products,” she added.

In addition, the two countries signed a number of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) in Integrated Water Resources, Management, Forestry, Tourism, Trade and Investment among others, she said. The MOUs, she said, had led to the deepening of socio-economic relations for the benefit of the people of Botswana and Kenya adding that the business communities of the two countries continued to work together.

Ms Kimani thanked the government and people of Botswana for the unwavering support granted her saying it had been key to her successful diplomatic tour of duty. ENDS