Kuria Signed Five Key MOUs As Raila Commenced His Demonstrations
The Mt Kenya Times 
Trade and Investments Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria with his Saudi counterpart Khalid Al Falih at the Kenya - Saudi Business Forum in Nairobi on July 12, 2023
By: Joseph Mutua Ndonga
Worth Noting:
- The State House communication office had stepped out to clarify this matter.
- The spokesman stated that besides the two leaders holding bilateral talks the Iranian leader would witness the signing of a number of Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) by members of his delegation and their Kenya counterparts. He would also give a speech to reaffirm the commitment of his government to keep its word on the strategic areas of the cooperation.
- The drafting work of the five key MOUs had not been completed. This explains why the visit had to be rescheduled.
- But for Ruto critics, they would hear none of these explanations.
The latest anti-President William Ruto protests called by the Azimio La Umoja-OKA Party leader Raila Odinga coincided with a state visit by the President of Iran Ebrahim Raisi. This was the first visit by the Iranian leader to Kenya in eleven years.
Some media reports indicated the tensions had started to build up in some parts of the capital city as President Ruto hosted him at State House Nairobi.
The Iranian leader’s visit had been shrouded in confusion and uncertainty creating a room for speculations and rumors.
This was because of the rescheduling of the date of his arrival as he arrived one day later.
The State House communication office had stepped out to clarify this matter.
The spokesman stated that besides the two leaders holding bilateral talks the Iranian leader would witness the signing of a number of Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) by members of his delegation and their Kenya counterparts. He would also give a speech to reaffirm the commitment of his government to keep its word on the strategic areas of the cooperation.
The drafting work of the five key MOUs had not been completed. This explains why the visit had to be rescheduled.
But for Ruto critics, they would hear none of these explanations.
Instead they would allege. The visit had been indefinitely cancelled because of the instability in Kenya. Tehran would not allow their leader to visit a country that is unstable.
For other critics, President Ruto had to reconsider his earlier position when he invited him to visit Kenya.
Allegedly, he resorted to canceling this trip after receiving briefs on geopolitics.
For them, Iran does not see eye-to-eye with the powerful nations of Europe including US.
If President Ruto allowed him to step on our soil, this would jeopardize Kenya’s relations with these nations.
I totally disagree. President Ruto is not a novice when it comes to matters of diplomacy and international relations.
Having served the previous governments in key positions, he had learnt big lessons.
Since he assumed office, he has made several trips to Western capitals.
Apart from hosting him for bilateral talks, the world leaders invited him to address high profile international meetings and assemblies.
Dr Ruto is a well-schooled leader and a politician. He learns very fast. So you cannot convince me that he does not understand the thinking of these leaders.
By inviting Iranian leader, Ruto’s main goal is to look for the opportunities that would mainly spur the growth of our economy and transform the lives of Kenyans for better. So, I don’t think America and other countries in Europe would have a problem with this.
Bear this mind. These countries are also looking for business opportunities in Kenya.
As such, they know that they stand to gain a lot when our economy is doing well.
During the visit by the Iranian leader, Trade and Investment Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria shared the same table with him and his delegation at State House Nairobi. This is because the bilateral talks mainly focussed on trade, investment and business matters.
Kuria signed five key MOUs on behalf of the government of Kenya. President Ruto and his Iranian counterpart stood behind him to witness this.
After this ceremony, Kuria roundly condemned Raila Odinga for leading the demonstrations on a day when President Ruto was hosting a VVIP. Kenya stood to reap more benefits from this visit.
Then Raila is on the street. This showed lack of respect and raised questions about his commitment to address the plight of the ordinary people.
Kenyans should bear this in mind. The Mzee is misusing, wasting and taking you for a ride.
He does not believe in your course. What he is doing is economic sabotage and he is doing this in order to achieve selfish and personal interests. His ultimate goal is to force President Ruto to share government with him.
This is the script he has been playing after losing the elections.
He succeeded in pushing and forcing President Mwai Kibaki and his successor Uhuru Kenyatta to cave in.
I doubt this time he will succeed. President Ruto is determined to bring this bad manner and habit to an end.
Kuria however noted. As Raila holds his protests, the government is still working. Raila will never stop us from fulfilling the pledges we made to Kenyans. Today, I have signed five MOUs with Iran.
Joseph Mutua Ndonga is a writer and political analyst based in Nairobi
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