Gatundu South Member of Parliament Moses Kuria has mocked President Uhuru Kenyatta’s negotiation skills after making several concessions with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.
Kuria took to social media to reveal several trade deals that were agreed between Kenya and Uganda – many of them favoring Museveni’s country.
“President Yoweri Museveni came calling. I always say you underestimate this man at your peril. At the end of the bilateral negotiations, poultry EXPORTS from Uganda to Kenya to resume in a week”.
“Dairy EXPORTS from Uganda to Kenya to face less paperwork. Sugar EXPORTS from Uganda to Kenya to rise from 36,000 tonnes to 90,000 tonnes. Ugandan Tiles Manufacturers to start EXPORTS to Kenya,” Kuria wrote.
He sarcastically stated that in return, Kenya would get Sh700 from Uganda, being fare for Museveni’s first ride on the SGR.
“Museveni to pay Ksh 700 for one way Mombasa-Nairobi SGR ticket, the first SGR Revenue from a visiting Head of State #TetemaKamaSsebo,” the vocal legislator stated.
Kuria’s post was in most ways accurate, except that he did not mention that Uganda had agreed to lift a ban on beef imports from Kenya.
The legislator’s sentiments were echoed by a section of Kenyans who felt that President Kenyatta had failed to adequately caution poultry farmers who have been facing stiff competition from cheap Ugandan products.
Despite the concerns, the trade balance between the two neighboring countries is in favour of Kenya.
Kenya’s value of total exports to Uganda stood at Kshs 61.8 billion in 2017 while Kenya imports from Uganda good worth Sh42 billion.