'Send Your 5 Million Citizens To Kenya!' - Wetangula Asks China

‘Send Your 5 Million Citizens To Kenya!’ – Wetangula Asks China

On Thursday, November 21, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula met a Chinese delegation from the Kenya-China Parliamentary Friendship Group, led by Hao Ping, at Parliament.

In a statement issued following the meeting, Wetangula urged the Chinese government to send at least 5 million of its 1.2 billion residents to visit and experience the country’s various tourist attractions, including wildlife and sandy beaches.

Wetangula stated that this was done to promote Kenya to the rest of the globe and strengthen diplomatic connections with the country beyond trade and infrastructure.

“In my quest to continue marketing Kenya as a tourist destination, I called on Prof. Hao Ping and the entire delegation to support the sector by sending at least 5M of the 1.2B Citizens to Kenya to savour the enticing flora and fauna, the sandy beaches, the wildlife, and the people to impact the nation’s economic capability,” he said in a statement.

Kenya and China have maintained a long-standing and cordial relationship, with both countries having established resident diplomatic missions in their respective capitals since 1963.

The leadership of His Excellency Ambassador Zhou Pingjian has greatly contributed to the… pic.twitter.com/d9UP1ljouc
— Rt.Hon.Dr.Moses Wetang'ula (@HonWetangula) November 20, 2024

Kenya attracts millions of international tourists yearly with its huge savanna, home to the big five, and appealing sandy beaches.

Last year (2023) alone saw 1.9 million visits and earnings of up to Ksh352.5 billion in the sector.

The sector also makes significant contributions to employment development, with Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) CEO John Chirchir estimating that one job is produced for every visitor who visits the nation.

Several government initiatives have been undertaken to increase foreign revenue, including the introduction of the Digital Nomad Visa a month ago, which allows foreigners who want to tour Kenya while working remotely to do so using this unique work permit.

During the delegation, Wetangula advocated for the two countries to maintain existing economic links and urged the Chinese government to open up its market to more Kenyan produce.

“I urged the delegation to expand the engagements between the two countries to focus on trade and open up the Chinese market for Kenyan products,” said Wetangula.

This morning, I hosted a delegation from the Kenya-China Parliamentary Friendship Group led by its Head of Delegation Prof. Hao Ping, Ma Viming (Member) and Zhang Li (Member) among others who called on me in my office at Parliament Buildings.

Acknowledging the fact that Chinese… pic.twitter.com/js3myBcvI5
— Rt.Hon.Dr.Moses Wetang'ula (@HonWetangula) November 21, 2024

The speaker also praised the Asian nation’s efforts to sponsor infrastructure projects in Kenya and throughout Africa, noting that its impact was seen across the continent.

“Noting the journey, the Republic of China had taken over the course of the decades, I further noted that Kenya and Africa by extension had also concluded its liberation journey and that attention now should shift to freeing its people from poverty and into self-reliance,” he added.

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Looking especially at China’s contributions to Kenya, he praised China’s contributions to the country’s critical infrastructure, including the Expressway and numerous other highways throughout the country.

“I appreciated the contribution of the Asian country to various development initiatives in Kenya singling out the Expressway where diverse Chinese technology was utilised, the Highways constructed and improved by Chinese companies, and also various water projects that are set to facilitate access of the precious commodity by communities and livestock,” he stated.

Wetangula was joined by four additional Members of Parliament: Rachael Nyamai, Makali Mulu, Kakai Bissau, and Julius Sunkuli, all from Kitui South, Kitui Central, Kiminini, and Kilgoris.

The Chinese delegation, led by Hao Ping, also comprised Ma Viming and Zhang Li.

‘Send Your 5 Million Citizens To Kenya!’ – Wetangula Asks China