Ambassador Tai, who has been in the country since Monday to co-lead a meeting of the US-East Africa Community Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (Tifa) council, is reported to have refused to meet Trade CS Moses Kuria.
Katherine Tai reportedly canceled two scheduled meetings with Moses Kuria to discuss the trade ties between the two countries.
Sources said Ms. Tai was to meet Kuria on Monday at his Two Rivers office. But she canceled and labeled him as an ‘extremist’ over his unpalatable remarks against individuals and institutions.
Tai however met the President and other several business stakeholders.
Tai speaks
Katherine said that she indeed did not meet her Kenyan counterpart Moses Kuria. But refused to explain why she did so, in what may reflect the Kenyan Minister’s reputational blot.
Instead, she directed media inquiries to Kuria’s appointing authority.
“I did not meet Trade Cabinet Secretary (CS) Moses Kuria. In terms of why I did not meet with him, I would have to refer you to the Kenyan government,” Tai said.
“It’s correct that I haven’t met with him, CS Kuria on this trip. Nevertheless, I have had very robust engagements with other counterparts in the Kenyan government on the Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (Stip) as well as on the EAC work.” she added.
By Wanjiru Mbaru