NAIROBI, Kenya – Japanese Ambassador to Kenya Hiroshi Matsuura has revealed plans for the expansion of Toyota business operations locally.
The move is billed to improve the availability of spare parts and further boost Kenya’s Automobile Industry.
He spoke during a courtesy visit to Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula.
“Toyota is planning to expand its production in Kenya because there is a huge potential for growth in the country,” stated the Ambassador.
Wetang’ula welcomed the move, saying it will have a significant economic impact in the country.
“This will create jobs and also reduce the cost of importation of cars because we import a lot of vehicles from your country,” he said.
Kenya and Japan enjoy a multifaceted partnership, cutting across various sectors such as infrastructure development, trade, technology transfer, health, and education with Japan making significant contributions to key projects that enhance economic growth and sustainability.
“We truly appreciate the support you have given us. If you drive on Kenyan roads, every other car is Japanese, in fact there is common phrase that the car in front of you is always a Toyota,” the Speaker quipped.
The Speaker relieved previous support accorded to him by the Japanese Embassy which funded the construction of classrooms and administration block at Nalondo Secondary School in Bungoma County.
“We have started to give some assitance to Kabula Health Center in Bungoma, the work will start soon,” Stated Matsuura.
Wetang’ula urged the Ambassador to support Kenya’s efforts in boosting its economy through voicng Kenyans’s concerns to the money lending institutions such as IMF.
“Economies in Africa are fairly fragile. You can be doing very well this year, next year you have one drought and the economy dips because of food security.”
The Speaker also encouraged the Ambassador to continue supporting Kenyas agricultural sector in the quest to subsidize production.
Japan has already thrown its weight behind the fertilizer subsidy programme that seeks to boost the up scaling of the production of cereals, coffee flowers among others to enhance food security and by extension improve the cost of living.
“Japan is a trendsetter in Asia, flowers that are popular in Japan will be popular in the regions in five years time,” noted Matsuura.
With Parliamentary Diplomacy at the center of the courtesy visit, Wetang’ula pushed for the enhancement of relations through the Parliamentary friendship group chaired by Limuru MP Kiragu Chege so as to share experiences and through Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation support Kenya’s Foreign Policy Objectives.
Other Japanese Funded programs include the construction of various links roads in the Capital Nairobi and the expansion works at the Port of Mombasa that are currently at the Contract Negotiation Stage for the construction of the Likoni Bridge.
