CS Moses Kuria reveals why he was snubbed by US Trade Representative during State House visit

Public Service Cabinet Secretary (CS) Moses Kuria has explained the reason behind his conspicuous absence from the President William Ruto-led delegation that hosted US Trade Representative Katherine Tai at State House, Nairobi in July during his stint as Trade Minister.

Appearing on Citizen TV's JKLive Show on Wednesday, Kuria suggested that Tai refused to meet him because of his unwavering stance on the Azimio la Umoja-led anti-government demonstrations, which were at the time greatly interfering with Kenya's economy, a sector that fell under his docket.   

"There was a misunderstanding created by Ambassador Katherine Tai. The US Representative has been a great friend of mine right from day one. When she came here, we were in the middle of our politics and maandamano and somebody did not like what I said about those people who were demonstrating and the American embassy gave that advisory that they don't want to deal with me," Kuria said.

"I don't know how on earth somebody can come between me and Raila Odinga. If you try to come in between me and Raila you'd be a fool. How can you confront me because of Raila who is my good friend."

When asked by show host Jeff Koinange why he was also a no-show during Ruto's official state visit to the US in September, Kuria noted that he chose not to attend because the US delegation had in July categorically indicated that they did not want to engage with him.

"I thought the Americans have issues with Moses Kuria; why should Moses Kuria come between Kenya and America. Moses Kuria is not selfish, he loves his country so I decided to stay out," he said.

"In any case why would a person come to my country and say they don't want to meet me and then I go to their country?"

Owing to his then position as Trade Minister, Kuria added that he did not want to further complicate the issue.

"I was the Minister for Trade for Kenya. The Americans ought to have separated whatever they felt about me politically and my position on the war in Sudan and demos going on here. From my then position, demos were a very bad thing and disruptive. It was very painful for me," said the CS.

While taking a walk down memory lane, Kuria castigated the US government for allegedly meddling in Kenyan politics.

"On the 22nd of March, I was in London at an investment conference. Myself and Governor Anyang' Nyong'o were announcing a big investment in Kisumu by United Greens. We paid some TV station to air the conference live from London and the TV station decided to do a split screen of the conference of us talking to investors and the ongoing demos in Kenya and there I was telling investors that Kenya is safe for investment," he said.

"If the demos would have continued we wouldn't have a country and it was important for me to take a firm position which I did in the BBC and everywhere I went and sadly I had to pay the price for that misadventure which Uncle Sam did not like. Countries should respect each other; sovereignty is not about size. I expect other nations not to meddle in our internal affairs."