Speculations As CS Kuria Skips State House Meeting With Top US Official

Eyebrows emerged on Wednesday, July 19 after Trade and Investments Cabinet Secretary (CS) Moses Kuria was conspicuously absent from a meeting between President William Ruto and Ambassador Katherine Tai, the Principal Trade Advisor and Spokesperson on U.S. trade policy, at State House, Nairobi.

The meeting, which was also attended by other senior government officials such as Foreign Affairs CS Alfred Mutua, was aimed at discussing trade relations between Kenya and the United States.

Photos shared by the Head of State on his social media handles showed him and CS Mutua posing for a photo at State House and seated during the high-level meeting, but none of them had captured CS Kuria present.

Kuria's absence from the meeting raised speculations given that the CS has been a vocal supporter of the President's economic policies.

President William Ruto and U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai at State House on July 19, 2023. /PCS

His absence was also of significance since Ambassador Katherine Tai holds a position which is almost similar to that of the Trade CS.

Viral Tea could not independently establish whether Kuria opted to skip the meeting or he was barred from attending the meeting, bearing in mind that his absence could raise further speculations.

The Nation newspaper had reported that the US Trade representative declined to meet her Kenyan counterpart having been scheduled to discuss trade ties between the two countries with the CS.

The report claimed that Tai was to meet Kuria at his Two Rivers office on Monday, July 17 but cancelled, labelling him an ‘extremist’ over his unpalatable remarks against individuals and institutions.

Tai who was scheduled to co-lead a meeting of the U.S. – East African Community (EAC) Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) Council, was reported to have expressed her reservations with the conduct of the Trade CS.

“The ambassador cancelled her planned engagement with Kuria at his office. Today (yesterday), he was blocked from the scheduled meeting with the US official but CS Maino proceeded with her meeting,” the newspaper made reference to multiple sources within the government who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Neither the CS nor Tai was yet to issue a response to the reports by the time of publishing this article.

The isolation of Kuria came at a time the US is on a charm offensive in Africa and views Kenya as the East Africa Community (EAC) entry hub and affirmed by US Ambassador Meg Whitman as the next Silicon Valley.

Meanwhile, President Ruto noted that the discussion at State House revolved around the expansion of trade beyond the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

"America is our key trade and investment partner. Under the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act, Kenya has developed its value chains, and expanded and diversified its exports, creating thousands of employment opportunities.

"We will stretch our ties beyond AGOA, in the wake of advanced technology and climate change, for the full exploitation of our trade potential," the Head of State wrote.

"It was a privilege to co-chair today’s meeting of the U.S.-East African Community Trade and Investment Framework Agreement Council with Secretary General of the EAC, with Secretary General of the EAC, Dr Peter Mutuku Mathuki. 

"Cooperation makes us stronger, and I look forward to our continued, dynamic work as a council," Tai tweeted hours after hosting the U.S. – EAC TIFA meeting.

Tai will also meet with labour stakeholders, members of Kenya’s civil society, local businesses, and private sector representatives to discuss opportunities for increased cooperation with the United States.

She will also join Whitman to meet with local youth and women entrepreneurs and discuss how the two countries can promote inclusive trade and economic prosperity for all.

President William Ruto and U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai at State House on July 19, 2023. /PCS