Kenyan envoy to Somalia details plans after presenting credentials to President Hassan

Kenyan Ambassador to Somalia Kubai Kiringo on Sunday presented his credentials to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, thanking him for expediting his accreditation and promising to improve relations between the two countries.

Kubai served in the 11th Parliament as the MP for Igembe Central in Meru County, the largest producer of khat or miraa, which is Kenya’s biggest export to Somalia.

President William Ruto appointed him ambassador on October 4, 2023, to replace Maj. Gen (Rtd) Thomas Chepkuto. He was vetted by parliament on October 30 and was then confirmed for the position, reporting to his duty station in Mogadishu on February 9, 2024.

Kenyan Ambassador to Somalia Kubai Kiringo is pictured with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud at Villa Somalia in Mogadishu after presenting his credentials on February 25, 2024. (Photo: Villa Somalia)

Speaking to The Eastleigh Voice after hosting a reception at the Kenyan embassy in Mogadishu, Kiringo said President Hassan pushed the presentation of the credentials forward from March 7.

“The President brought it forward because he said President [William] Ruto is his brother. I passed the goodwill message of our President to him and he also passed greetings to our President and the people of Kenya,” he said.

“I am now settling in to work as the ambassador to build a stronger relationship between Kenya and Somalia - to make it tighter and wider especially in terms of security and trade because there are so many products the two countries can exchange - farming, industrial, maritime and other products."

He added that he would pursue the improvement of the people's livelihoods, open the borders to the diaspora and promote the sale of miraa.

The envoy noted that the Somali leader promised him 100 per cent support.

Kenyan Ambassador to Somalia Kubai Kiringo holds discussions with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud at Villa Somalia in Mogadishu after presenting his credentials on February 25, 2024. (Photo: Villa Somalia)

Kiringio further urged Kenyan job seekers eyeing Somalia and those living and working in the neighbouring country to obey the law.

“Those back home who need jobs should know there are jobs here. I will open my doors to them and assist them in getting jobs here. Let them not shy away from coming to Somalia to look for greener pastures,” he said.

The envoy added that Somalia is a virgin country that needs many investors so Kenyans should consider its budding economy and numerous growth opportunities.

“Apart from agricultural products we need to investigate areas of human resource. We have two rivers in this country, and I understand there is a lot of farming. Kenyans are good farmers so they can come and join Somalis to farm," he said.

"We can also collaborate on education. Many children here require good schools so teachers can come and teach here and investors can open schools. This country is open to them as it requires entrepreneurs."

Somalia's Minister of Commerce and Trade, Jibril Abdirashid, signs a visitor book at the Kenyan Embassy in Mogadishu as Kenya’s New Ambassador to Somalia Kubai Kiringo looks on, February 25, 2024. (Photo: Hussein Mohamed)

Kiringo also held meetings with Somalia’s Minister of Commerce and Trade, Jibril Abdirashid, and discussed deepening trade ties between Somalia and Kenya.

“I was very happy when he came to join me in my celebration at the Kenyan embassy. We have discussed many matters, which I believe will help promote the unity and prosperity of our two sisterly countries,” the Kenyan envoy said.

Jibril said, “I am very happy to attend this reception. On behalf of my government, we welcome the new Kenyan ambassador to Somalia. We say to you 'Welcome to Somalia, feel at home'."

Omar Hashi, the presidential special envoy for stabilisation and civilian protection, and members of Somalia's bicameral parliament were among the guests at the reception.

Omar hoped that both Kenya and Somalia would benefit immensely from Kiringo's appointment.

"We look forward to working with you. Somalia and Kenya are close allies. There are plenty of people-to-people interactions and Kenya has helped us in the fight against [terror group] Al-Shabaab," he said.

Kenya’s New Ambassador to Somalia Kubai Kiringo is pictured with Somalia's Minister of Commerce and Trade Jibril Abdirashid and Southwest MP Aweis Mohamed Omar at the Kenyan Embassy in Mogadishu on February 25, 2024. (Photo: Huseein Mohamed)

Kenya and Somalia have been taking steps to deepen their trade and diplomatic ties, among them the recent resumption of direct Kenya Airways (KQ) flights from Nairobi to Mogadishu. KQ had not had active and consistent flights to Mogadishu since 2006.

In terms of trade, Kenya’s exports to Somalia grew 51.4 per cent in the nine months to September 2023, compared to the same period the previous year, marking a resurgence of trade between the countries.

Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) shows Kenya exported goods worth Sh16.77 billion to Somalia in the period, an increase of Sh5.7 billion from the exports worth Sh11.07 billion in the same period in 2022.

Somalia became the sixth-largest destination for the country’s goods in Africa, coming after Uganda, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda and Egypt.

Besides miraa, Kenya’s other main exports to Somalia include tobacco, pharmaceutical products, soaps, lubricants, coffee, tea and machinery.

On the other hand, Somalia exported goods worth $880,000 (Sh143.88 million) to Kenya during the same period, its top exports being prefabricated buildings, scrap iron and electric generating sects.