Kenya: Texas Keen to Do Business With Nation

The Nation (Nairobi)

December 22, 2006
Posted to the web December 22, 2006

Nation Reporter
Nairobi

The American State of Texas has expressed interest in doing business with Kenya.

The Mayor of Dallas, Ms Laura Miller and Mayor Pro Tem Don Hill told Kenyan ambassador to the US Mr Peter Ogego that Texas had "deep interest to develop bilateral trade and investment cooperation with Kenya."

Mr Ogego, who gave a keynote address at a Luncheon organised by the African Chamber of Commerce, interested the business community in Dallas to invest in various sectors of the Kenya economy and take advantage of the opportunities presented by the expansion of the East Africa Community.

The event was attended by among others, Mr Ross Perot Jr. a multi billionaire investor in Dallas, who earlier held discussions with the ambassador in his office.

The ambassador also made a follow up meeting with Ross Perot Sr. a one time presidential candidate in the United States and explored possibilities of his family investing in Information Technology and hotel industry in Kenya.

During the event, Mr Ogego was presented with a special key for the city of Dallas by Mr Don Hill.

In October 2006, Mr Hill led a delegation of businesspeople from Dallas and members of the African chamber of Commerce D/FW on a business exploration mission to Kenya.

The delegation held meetings with the Minister for Trade, Dr Mukhisa Kituyi and Nairobi Mayor Dick Wathika and signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU).

During his visit to Texas, the ambassador also met with the Secretary of the State Mr. Roger Williams.

The secretary welcomed efforts by the ambassador to promote business between Kenya and the State of Texas and assured him of his support.

The two agreed that there was need for an exchange of trade missions to the two countries. They discussed the possibility of Mr. Rogers bringing some Texans to Kenya to explore business opportunities especially in the area of windmill energy.

Mr Ogego was accompanied by the Deputy Chief of Mission, Mrs. Lily Sambu, First Counsellor, Mr James Wakiaga, Commercial Attaché, Mrs. Lina Ochieng and the Immigration Attaché, Ms Felicina Ndwiga.

The mission staff organised a successful two-day session to renew passports for Kenyan citizens in Dallas and outlying areas.

My opinion? Windmill energy my ASS, they want to see if Kenya's got oil. The End.