Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Thursday lauded the prevailing friendly relations between Kenya and the People’s Republic of China.
While reiterating that the ties between the two nations remain strong, the country’s second-in-command noted that Kenya and her people have benefitted immensely from the support extended by China and that the East Asian country had become the East Africa nation’s big brother.
“It’s always a pleasure to work with our friends. China is our big brother. We are good friends. And this year we mark 60 years of our diplomatic relations,” he said
The DP who was speaking when he graced the African Tech Challenge award ceremony said China had done so much for Kenya and the results of the country’s operations were open for all to see.
“China has a great mark in the transformation of the infrastructure of this great republic. It has stamped its authority in infrastructural development in this country,” said the Deputy President
It is also here that he affirmed President William Ruto’s government’s commitment in upholding good bilateral relations with its partners.
He asked China to continue channeling much-needed support to Kenya, especially in the area of innovation and new technologies in order to spur the country’s development.
“We invite you here to come and do technology transfer. What has happened in TVET is a clear testimony of what technology transfer can do to a young country like Kenya. We are willing to partner with everybody in the world to come here and transfer technology to our young people so that in another 50, 60 years we are also a leading country in the world in matters development and in matters technology,” he said
The African Tech Challenge (ATC), now in its eighth season, is a program sponsored by Chinese company AVIC-International. The Deputy President lauded AVIC International for the program which he said plays a key role in enhancing the technical skills of students pursuing technical courses in Kenya.
“We commend AVIC International for partnering with TVETs in this critical initiative that has now gone Continental,” said the Deputy President
“The Skills being learned by the students will help the country in reducing the level of unemployment and reduce the poverty index in the country through cultivating the spirit of entrepreneurship as a way of encouraging innovation among youth in the country,” he said
Gachagua added; “Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions remodel learners from job seekers to solution innovators through critical skills,”
He challenged the youth to leverage innovations in artificial intelligence, robotics, and other technologies to enhance productivity and competitiveness.
