British High Commissioner Nic Hailey rejected a gift presented to him from Kenya Industrial Estates (KIE) terming it promotion of corruption.
Amb Hailey was on tour in Malindi viewing the KIE projects with a delegation from the British government when he noticed a leather belt that caught his fancy.
He asked about the availability of such belts in Nairobi and he was told they can be found at the Village Market in Nairobi.
In response, KIE company MD Parman ole Narikae offered to present the leather products to Hailey as a gift but the high commissioner rejected.
“I don’t like free things, that would be promoting corruption,” Nic quipped.
The high commissioner had previously signed an MoU with Kilifi county government to set up a Sustainable Urban Economic Development programme in Malindi worth Ksh720 million.
The British government pledged to provide Ksh7.2 billion to set up urban programs in 10 municipalities.