Trade Cabinet Secretary, Moses Kuria, on Wednesday, April 12, was put to task over an alleged meeting with a Belgian Foundation, with a questionable record.
In responding to the queries, CS Kuria confirmed President William Ruto's administration meeting with the Belgian investor. Defending the move, Kuria stated that it was Ruto's plan to deepen trade deals with foreign investors.
Kuria, however, dispelled reports of deliberately allowing foreign companies to ink deals with Kenya, noting that the government does not demand curriculum vitae from the investors.
In a media interview, the former Gatundu North Member of Parliament (MP) observed that his ministry holds meetings with both committed and non-committed companies.
He further explained that Ruto's administration does not discriminate against investors based on their past records. Kuria disclosed that Ruto's administration had adopted an open policy to woo investors.
"I will accept all investors, I will not go there asking for the CV or Christian certificate of the investors. No, I am sorry. I am here to promote investment, Kenya is an investment destination, and we need money,” Kuria stated during an interview with Capital FM.
"We can keep saying that this one has been a shadowy past. By the way I meet all investors serious and not serious, shadowy and real, fake and genuine," Kuria added.
Open policy, according to CS Kuria, helped Ruto's administration ink a Ksh57 billion deal with Moderna vaccine company, insisting that it was a departure from the closed-door strategy used by previous regimes.
He lamented over reports questioning investors' past, which he maintained was detrimental to the government's efforts to fund different projects in the country.
At the same time, Kuria applauded the bipartisan approach rooted by President Ruto to end the political stalemate with the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
The former legislator observed that a calm political environment was essential for enhancing cross-border investments.
"We are optimistic they will agree because we cannot afford to run the government with anti-government protests," Kuria stated.
