Gachagua’s 7-Day Adventure Ends in Mysterious Disappearance
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua had a busy week, meeting investors, and Kenyans in the diaspora and seeking new markets for local cash crops in his Europe trip.
The extended trip to Germany and Belgium saw Gachagua miss in action during the State visit by King Charles III who was in the country from Tuesday until Friday.
Even though the DP jetted into the country on Tuesday evening, he was not present during the State House banquet in honor of the King and Queen Camila.
Gachagua, who has been out of the country since October 24, settled down for official business on Wednesday morning, chairing a cabinet sub-committee.
The meeting held at his Karen residence was attended by cabinet secretaries from specific ministries in government.
“For a people-centered implementation of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, through interministerial strategic consultations and review of decisions, this is crucial,” Gachagua said.
He wrote on his official X account:
“It allows us to make necessary and timely adjustments for effective and efficient service delivery.'”
Before Gachagua jetted back into the country, he held a working lunch with the Minister of State for European and International Affairs of Bavaria, Melanie Huml in Munich, Germany.
He said their discussions centred on Bavaria’s Strategy for Africa and delved into cooperation in various sectors particularly, Renewable Energy, Manufacturing, Tourism, and Labour Migration.
Other areas of cooperation include Sports Development, Education, and Exchange Programmes, among others.
“All these directly feed to the realization of the State’s Strategy for Africa on Business, Vocational Training, Education, Science, Agriculture, Environment, and Public Administration,” said the DP.
Early on Tuesday morning, Gachagua was at the Englischer Garden at the State of Bavaria in Munich for his signature morning run.
He later termed his walk as significant as it marked the end of his highly successful working visit to Belgium and Germany.
“We made a strong case for our hardworking coffee farmers; they will soon reap the fruits of agreements we signed,” he said.
On Monday, Gachagua was hosted by the Mayor of Gersthofen Michael Worle where they explored areas of partnership with counties under the twinning programme.
The meeting was also attended by his wife Dorcas Rigathi and Baringo Central MP Joshua Kandie.
Currently, Gersthofen City is working with Kisumu and Baringo counties in transforming service delivery and building strong and autonomous economies at the devolved units.
“We look forward to more job opportunities in Foreign Direct Investment apart from the export of labor from Kenya under the ongoing negotiations on the Bilateral Labour Agreement,” Gachagua said.
On Sunday, Gachagua was taken on a learning tour of the KFZ Innung Schwaben Motor Vehicle Training Centre -A TVET School for Students as young as 15 years.
He said that there is a lot to borrow from and domesticate given that Germany is supporting more than 60 Technical Vocational Education and Training Institutions across the country under the GIZ programme.
The Project has supported the establishment of the Centre for Entrepreneurship through the Kenya Germany TVET Initiative (KGTI).
“With the digitization of the curriculum on dual training, we are making progress as we diversify the skills of our youth for job opportunities in Kenya and Germany,” he said.
On the same day, Gachagua visited the Quantron AG eMobility manufacturer in Augsburg, Germany.
He said he wanted to experience and learn more about the ongoing partnership under the German Climate Technology Initiative (DKTI), through the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
The DP said the implementation of “The promotion of electric mobility in Kenya project” will accelerate the move to lower carbon emissions.
“This is how Kenya will live to its commitment to leading Africa and the Globe in infusing Climate Action in sustainable development,” he said.
Later that evening, he held a meeting with Kenyans living in Munich, Germany.
Gachagua told Kenyans in the diaspora that the government will review legal frameworks on the taxation of diaspora remittances.
This is after multiple complaints from Kenyans working abroad over double taxation when sending money back home.
The DP said that the National Treasury together with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), and the State Department for Diaspora Affairs are carrying out a comprehensive review of the relevant tax laws to address the matter.
“The issue of double taxation is a thorn in the flesh of Kenyans living in the Diaspora. The government is addressing that matter. For us to get support from Diaspora in remittances we must sort out the issue of double taxation,” he said.
Last Saturday, Gachagua visited the Paul Renz Akademie FC in Augsburg, Germany.
The club, which has been in existence since 1907, has been enhancing the skills and talents of children as young as 10 years in soccer.
He said the country is investing more in providing technical and infrastructural support to young players.
“That is why we are seeking partnership in setting up similar facilities as we also initiate tournament exchange opportunities,” he said.
Gachagua’s 7-Day Adventure Ends in Mysterious Disappearance
