Africa

Kenya's new envoy to Somalia presents copies of credentials at Foreign ministry

Kenya's ambassador to Somalia Kubai Kiringo (L) is pictured with Ali Mohamed Omar, Somalia's Acting Foreign Affairs minister, during their meeting on February 11, 2024. (Photo: Facebook/ Kenya Embassy Mogadishu)

By Hassan Mohamed | Sunday, February 11, 2024

Kenya's new ambassador to Somalia Kubai Kiringo on Sunday pledged to enhance the two country's relations while presenting a copy of his credentials to the acting Foreign minister.

Kiringo held discussions with Ali Mohamed Omar, Somalia's Acting Foreign Affairs minister, before presenting the documents.

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"Both reaffirmed their commitment to deepen and expand the relationship for the mutual benefit of the two countries,” the Kenyan embassy in Mogadishu said in a statement.

The meeting on Sunday marked Kiringo's first engagement with authorities in Somalia. He was accompanied by the deputy ambassador, the defence attache and a political officer.

According to diplomatic etiquette, when a newly appointed ambassador reports to his duty station, he must first meet the Foreign Affairs minister before presenting his credentials to the President.

Kenya's ambassador to Somalia Kubai Kiringo (3rd L) is pictured with other officials in Somalia on February 11, 2024, during the presentation of a copy of his credentials to the Foreign ministry. (Photo: Facebook/ Kenya Embassy Mogadishu)

Kiringo served in the 11th Parliament as the MP for Igembe Central in Meru County.

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.

Kiringo reported to his duty station in Mogadishu, Somalia, on February 9, 2024, and was received at the Aden Ade International Airport by officials from the Kenyan embassy and protocol officers from Somalia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

"I am very optimistic about seeing prosperous trade among the two nations and, most importantly, ensuring peace and good co-relations within my tenure," he said at the time.

Kenya's ambassador to Somalia Kubai Kiringo (4th R) is pictured with other officials in Somalia on February 9, 2024. (Photo: Facebook/ Kubai Kiringo)

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 Somalia since 2006.

The announcement came days after Somalia was admitted to the East African Community (EAC) as the eighth member of the bloc.

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 exported 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 (khat), 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. The country’s top exports were prefabricated buildings, scrap iron and electric generating sects, respectively.