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Ruto's Cairo envoy nominee grilled on GERD tensions

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) under construction. (Photo: AFP)

By Mwangi Maina | 05 Apr 2024

Addis Ababa has confirmed that it has already finished filling the reservoir at its giant dam, which uses water from the Nile.

Kenyan lawmakers, on Friday morning, vetted Fred Outa, former Kisumu Senator and President Ruto's nominee for Kenyan ambassador to Cairo, Egypt, on his suitability for the role.

Outa appeared before the Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations Committee where he was grilled on various subjects touching on diplomacy and trade.

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Kamukunji legislator, Yusuf Hassan, asked for Outa’s insights on the tensions between Ethiopia and Egypt over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam constructed along the River Nile.

GERD is 19 miles (30km) south of the border with Sudan and is Africa's biggest hydroelectric dam project.

Ethiopia wants the dam to produce electricity for 60 per cent of its population who currently have no supply. The dam is projected to eventually double Ethiopia's electricity output, provide businesses with constant electricity supplies and boost development.

Egypt and Sudan, however, fear that the new developments will lead to a 2% reduction in water from the Nile, hampering irrigation and other key projects in the two countries.

"River Nile basin is very historic and we also use water that flows there through Lake Victoria. Egypt is a desert and their only source of agricultural production is via the Nile water and they protect it jealously because they believe if there will be no water, there will be no Egypt," Outa explained.

He added, "We as a nation, if you look at our foreign policy, our main objective is to promote peace within our region, and globally. This will be my fundamental mandate if approved and I will take the Kenyan stand on the current situation.”

Addis Ababa has confirmed that it has already finished filling the reservoir at its giant dam, which uses water from the Nile.

This week, the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been running coordinated social media messages indicating, "The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam represents a new chapter in Ethiopia's journey towards progress and development. Let's stand together in pride and optimism."

Former Kisumu Senator and nominee for Kenyan ambassador to Egypt, Fred Outa appeares before the Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations Committee on Friday, April 5, 2024. (Photo: Eastleigh Voice)

Last week, Egypt's Minister of Irrigation and Water Sources, Hani Sewilam, delivered a firm message to Ethiopia regarding the dam, stating, "Any dam constructed along the Nile River affects Egypt. Some impacts are manageable, while others are not. Ethiopia will pay for any impact on Egypt one day."

Speaking at World Water Day, Sewilam referenced the 2015 Declaration of Principles, emphasising that the responsible party for downstream harm must bear the cost. He asserted Egypt's right to protect its security if threatened by the dam's operation.

In his response, Outa argued that "Our interests are not to cause conflict in Egypt but to trade. I will take neutrality in my approach to be able to stay focused but again participate as much as possible in the negotiations and encourage warring parties to take peaceful resolutions."

Bilateral Ties

Outa, who served as Vice Chair of the Senate Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations Committee in the 12th Parliament, was also asked to elaborate on his plans to strengthen relations between Nairobi and Cairo.

"What concrete actions are you going to take to enhance the relations?" Posed Kamukunji legislator Yusuf Hassan.

"Egypt is a very historic country. I find it important that it is a strategic partner to us and it is crucial to enhance our bilateral trade. As an agricultural country, we have our tea being exported to Cairo and that will be my key area of interest. We also import other products. We may not have the same level but strengthening our exports and imports will create opportunities," Outa explained.

During the procedural questioning, Shinyalu legislator, Fred Ekana, asked Outa to explain the charges levelled against him in 2017 where he was accused of incitement to violence.

"In 2017 you were charged in court for incitement to violence. Do you have regrets and how will you maintain the highest diplomatic standards if approved as our ambassador in Cairo?" Asked MP Ekana.

"I know you're talking of an incident where I had gone to a girl's school, Ahero Girls, as a patron when I was the area legislator. It was towards the end of the final year's exam and the girls, who were protesting against the transfer of the principal, called me. The girls were out and they came running to me because they adored me," the nominee defended himself.

He added, "The girls blocked all the roads. Kondele was unpassable because the girls loved me. The people had surrounded the courts. I was acquitted and I felt vindicated."

Outa declared his net worth at Sh280 million.