Ukraine wants to partner with Kenya to ensure it has rich of technology it needs to feed itself and tackle the cost of living
Their use of technology in agricultural productivity is another milestone that kenya will tap to maximise their food security
Anastasiia Kapranova states that if the two countries will bring their people on one table, their bilateral ties can be much more stronger
Ukrainian Parliament has expressed interests to invest in Kenya on agri-tech, drones and Artificial Intelligence to help Kenya not just food security but food sovereignty
Speaking at Radisson Blue Hotel in Nairobi on Tuesday 6th February, the People’s Deputy in the 9th Ukraine Parliament, MP, Mrs Lesia Vasylenko, revealed to have led other parliamentarians in meeting institutions such as KenyaInvest, Kenya National Chamber of Commerce as well as leading business people in Kenya to explore opportunities in bilateral ties
“Even in the short time I have been here, I have seen how much our countries have in common. We are both leaders in our regions, we are both vibrant democracies, we are both bottom up societies driven by our private sectors and civil society
We are agricultural superpowers and we are both digital leaders- who are seeking to leapfrog into the future,” Vasylenko stated when he met Kenyan host
She further noted that Kenya and Ukraine have many interests in common, face many of the same challenges and stand to benefit from many of the same opportunities
According to the delegation to Nairobi, they want to build a long term, strategic partnership so to benefit from the talent of youth, the growth in the market and the dynamism of the Kenyan economies
Use of drone agricultural technology
“We believe that Kenya can benefit from Ukraine’s expertise and experience in e-health, digital governance, agricultural technology, drone technology, nuclear energy, defence and security, and infrastructure development.
Like Kenya, we have fought hard to defend our freedom and independence. Our priority now is fighting to protect our families, our homes and our land from imperialist invaders. But even in the midst of war, we must look to the future. We are transforming our society to build prosperous future for our people,” she remarked
They confided that Kenya is presumably one of the democratic country with a thriving economy open to new business and a society looking towards the future as they look forward to building that safer, more prosperous
Oil and gas opportunities between Ukraine and Kenya
Oleksandr Khomiak- A former Lawyer specialising in private equity and international corporate law in the field of oil and gas and an expert in drone technology said, “We see Kenya as a gateway to Africa, and we believe that Ukraine can be Kenya’s port for Europe. From drones to special economic zones, Kenya and Ukraine are countries that can do business with each other,”.
According to Chairman of the Board at the Maidan of Foreign Affairs said, “In an age where great powers act with impunity, abuse their power and seek to enforce their ways of life on others- smaller democracies like Kenya and Ukraine must stand up for each other sovereignty- be it political, economic or military,”.
On her part, the programme Manager for Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa at the Ukrainian Institute Ms Anastasiia Kapranova said that if those two countries can bring their people on one table, their bilateral ties can be much more stronger
“I have already experienced the vitality of Kenya’s culture, the vibrancy of your creative industries and your commitment to protecting and promoting your unique heritage. Politics is about people.
However, even after the Russia’s unprovoked invasion hit their country hard-leaving thousands dead and damaged economy, they are doing everything they could to continue exporting and even donate grains to Africa
They want to partner with Kenya to ensure it has rich of technology it needs to feed itself and tackle the cost of living
Ukrainian war has death and destruction taking a heavy toll on Kenya and other countries around the world, by driving op the price of food and fuel contributing to a cost of living crisis
I thank the people and government of Kenya for the support they shown Ukraine during their darkest ours, upholding the principals of sovereignty and territorial integrity, and for standing up for peace and humanity over war and depravity