Relief for german residents and tourists in coast region as the Germany federal republic open a Honorary consulate office in Diani
By : Caroline Katana
German is a significant source of tourists for kenya , the tourism sector has benefited greatly from German travelers and tour operators .
Before the Covid -19 pandemic ,more than 200,000 German tourists visited Kenya each year .
Last season over 80,000 German tourists and 75,000 Italian tourists visited Kenya ,spreading along the coastal region .
Kenya and Germany have maintained robust partnerships in critical sectors including but not limited to economic partnership, digital collaboration ,climate action ,renewable energy ,skills development ,labor and peace and security since 1963.
Germany has been a critical partner in Kenya’s growth and development ,providing critical support in sectors such as infrastructure ,healthcare ,renewable energy and vocational training.
Since 2011 Germany has provided development assistance to Kenya totaling KSH 24.08 billion ( EUR 227 million ) ,this partnership which is based on the principles of shared prosperity and equality has also established Germany as a prominent foreign investor in Kenya .
Due to the high numbers of Germany tourists visiting and others residing in Kenya , the Germany federal republic has officially opened a Honorary consulate office in Diani ,Kwale county to serve four counties of the coastal region (Kwale ,Mombasa, Lamu ,Kilifi ) .
Speaking during the official opening, Mr. Sebastian Groth ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Kenya , said the office that is located at Diani shopping Centre area will provide services for Germany residents and tourists facing fundamental challenges in Kenya .
“ If a Germany resident or tourist loses passport or has any consul problem ,the consulate will be there for assistance ,if the problem is beyond the consulate capacity , he will connect them to the embassy for further help , the honorary consulate office will be a relief to elderly Germany residents residing here to reach the consulate office much more easier than going to the head office in Nairobi ,” Said ambassador Groth .
Mr. Groth affirmed to come up with the idea of setting up a honorary consulate office in coast region for it is among the areas in Kenya with a unique history and economic identity.
“ Germany is investing in Kwale county in a number of sectors including , climate ,health ,youth employment ,TVETS , we are in Mombasa county with a number of projects like that of the African maritime technology cooperation ,Germany development cooperation ,Mombasa ‘s strategic locations ,we have invested in Kilifi county in a number of ways including supporting a football tournament and supporting German doctors e.V.’s projects and we are in Lamu county because we’re the constant partners of Lamu cultural festival ,” Said Mr. Groth.
At the same time ,Mr. Groth said Germany embassy has put measures in place to make time short of Visa processing for young people in Kenya who want to travel for Germany for job opportunities.
“We are trying our best to keep the time short and make fast decision for our backlog is not that big ,there is high demand for Visa, we signed the labor immigration agreement four weeks ago so that they can have a lot of focus to young Kenyans who want to travel to Germany for work ,our visa department is under pressure but we are trying our best to be efficient as possible ,”Said Mr. Groth
Kilifi county deputy governor Flora Chibule applauded the Germany federal republic for opening the honorary consul office in the region ,saying one of the ways of Kenya strengthening it’s relationship with Germany.
“ We have a very strong relationship that spreads from sports ,culture ,tourism and now that they want to be big in manufacturing ,we want to tell them that , if they want to expand their shoe company there is a lot of land in Kilifi ,” Said the deputy Governor.
Mrs. Chibule confirmed the four coastal counties to have received big numbers of Germany tourists .
“ We have that good relationship and the ambassador know that we have an opening door for business in Kilifi and that political good will ,” She Added.
Mombasa county governor representative Mrs. Farida Abdallah said the opening of Dongo-kundu by pass road provides Germany residents and tourists from other coastal counties quick access to Diani.
“ This is a unique opportunity and we congratulate the Germany federal republic for this initiative and we are looking forward for more Germany –Kenya partnership in the coastal region ,”Said Mrs. Abdallah.
Honorary consul ,German consulate in Kenya Stefan Wentzel who will head the office said ,the the facility will be operating on Thursdays from 11:00 AM to 16 :00 PM .
The consulate raised concerns over the closure of Australia mining company Base titanium in Kwale county by the end of the year.
“We all know Base titanium will close its operations come next month and Kwale county is going to lose a lot of revenue and workers left in dilemma ,this is a very serious problem and I will do my very best to buffer the impact of that , my mission is to extend the shoe company , we already started with Josef seibel Africa shoe company Romika in Msambweni ,we did that once but I believe we can do it again ,”Said Mr. Wentzel.
Mr. Wentzel said 22 billion pairs of shoes are manufactured each year in Kenya and if the Kenya government could grab up to 3 percent of that market, it would create thousands of jobs and it would mean billions of Kenyan shillings revenue.
“ 90 percent of the value of the shoes is created here ,the leather , labor is from here ,most materials are from here ,we just use some few unique chemicals , ” Said Mr. Wentzel.
He mentioned tough rules and regulations to hinder investors from starting businesses and other projects Kenya.
“ If Kenya government can have friendly rules and regulations for entrepreneurs many companies in Europe will come to the queue and invest because Kenya is competitive in terms of quality ,price ,Kenya can beat India ,we are producing cheaper than India , we sell our shoes in North America, Europe and Indonesia so we can do this together then the country will have enough revenue , and that is my mission in this nation ,”Added Mr. Wentzel.
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