Kenya’s ability to attract overseas aid from Japan is rooted in its strong human resources, stable governance, and openness to foreign assistance, Japanese Ambassador to Kenya Matsuura Hiroshi has said.
Speaking in an interview with Radio Generation, Hiroshi emphasized that beyond Kenya’s capacity as a development partner, shared values and outlooks between the two nations have strengthened decades-long cooperation.
“It’s a good question. You can approach this question in various aspects… one is Kenya’s capacity as a development agent. You have rich possibilities in terms of human resources and also the stable government systems and also tolerance and generosity to foreign assistance. So that is a strong basis for it,” he said.
The ambassador highlighted commonalities between the two countries as a key driver of cooperation.
“Both Kenya and Japan are optimists. Secondly, both of us are having open mind to new things. But on the other hand, we are sticking to our tradition… we work hard… and ultimately, we believe in ourselves, both Japanese and the Kenyans,” Hiroshi said.
He added that Kenyan citizens are ambitious and forward-looking, always pursuing opportunities with determination.
“Kenyans are very, very go-ahead, let’s see how we can do it… full of hope and nothing is impossible. Where’s the opportunity? And they go for it. That is absolutely true,” he said.
Hiroshi explained that this combination of potential and shared values has led to a steady flow of project proposals and requests from Kenya, which Japan has consistently responded to over the years.
“Many promising requests, proposals and plans have kept coming to Japan from Kenya… and we are ready to respond to that. That’s the history of our cooperation,” he said, reinforcing the long-term partnership between the two nations.
In August, President William Ruto noted that while trade between the two countries has grown by 33 per cent in 2024, it remains heavily skewed in favour of Japan.
“Our trade has grown in the past six decades, but it heavily favours Japan at $1 billion against $70 million. We need to address tariff and non-tariff barriers so that Kenyan produce such as avocados and tea can access the Japanese market,” he said.
The Head of State commended Japan’s long-standing support for Kenya in infrastructure development, renewable energy, and education. He also urged the Japanese private sector to invest more in Kenya’s youthful, well-educated, and skilled workforce.
On peace and security, Ruto applauded Japan’s contribution to regional stability, including its support for the Tumaini Initiative on South Sudan, peace efforts in Somalia, and the Multinational Security Mission in Haiti led by Kenya.
“Japan’s role in ensuring predictable financing for such missions is critical,” Ruto said.
