Trade Cabinet Secretary, Moses Kuria, cleared reports on ditching his assigned government office to occupy a space within the Ksh25 billion Two Rivers Mall.
Speaking on Monday February 20, Kuria clarified that his assigned office was at the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) building in Nairobi.
However, the CS claimed that Two Rivers Mall, former President Uhuru Kenyatta opened on February 14, 2017, was part of the Ministry of Investment Trade and Industry.
"First, the registered office of my ministry is the NSSF Building, 17th floor. Two, the Two Rivers Mall which people are talking about is owned largely by the Ministry of Investments and Industry, so it’s like accusing you of being in your own house," Kuria stated.
"I have a very ambitious program to move foreign direct investments from 500 million to 10 billion dollars. Of all the things we should ask ourselves, is it all about moving offices to a private mall? Let’s get serious! I have got a reason for everything," he added.
On holding important meetings at Two Rivers Mall, Kuria noted that the location was key to giving investors a conducive environment, allowing them to transact with the government.
The former Gatundu South Member of Parliament insisted that his foreign trips and warm reception accorded to him partly influenced his decision to pick Two Rivers, ranked as Africa's largest mall.
"I visit many countries and know the environment the investors enjoy. I benchmark with many countries, and will give investors an environment equivalent to what the other nations offer," Kuria stated.
"This is about how we treat investors. I go to the US, Europe and know the ambience investors are treated with,"he insisted.
Additionally, Kuria rebuffed criticism arguing that the Ministry of Trade had set up ambitious plans to attract investors in different sectors of the economy.
While explaining his plan, the CS noted that he had met over 100 heads of states and forged different ties for President William Ruto's administration.
At the same time, he dismissed reports of clashing roles with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under CS Alfred Mutua. The vocal politician clarified that their roles were well cut out.
