Kenya’s Public Service Commission (PSC) on Wednesday, November 15 revealed that the Australian government has fostered more relations to Kenya with a new executive study program.
According to PSC, the board is currently in Australia for a three-weeks intensive Executive Fellowship study programme at the University of Newcastle, Australia.
The PSC further revealed that the programme is fully-funded by the Australian government. This is with an aim of strengthening public service performance and building capacity for effective governance.
Every year, nearly 900 Kenyan students fly to Australia to undertake undergraduate and graduate studies. It’s not just Kenyans that find Australia appealing, international students have made Australia the third most popular destination for education in the world.
Australia offers excellent quality of education, recognized internationally. Likewise, Australia offers first class facilities for teaching, training and research. They include sophisticated laboratories, classrooms, computer centres and libraries.
Australia is known globally as one of the world’s most diverse and welcoming countries. With people from more than 100 ethnic groups making it their home. More so, Australia is one of the world’s most multicultural countries and an extremely safe, friendly society.
Likewise, Kenya’s Public Service Commission Chairperson Amb. Anthony Muchiri while on a working retreat at the University of Newcastle, engaged with Kenyans diasporans.
The PSC Chair engaged Kenyans in a meeting. The meeting sought to explore areas of collaboration between the Public Service Commission and the Kenyan diaspora.
In the engagements the diasporans through the President of their local chapter in Australia , Mr. Herbert Gatama expressed confidence in the Commission’s commitment to transforming service delivery in Kenya.
In the meeting Amb. Muchiri was accompanied by Vice. Chairperson Ms. Charity Kisotu, Commissioners; Dr. Mary Mwiandi, Dr. Joyce Nyabuti, Dr. Reuben Chirchir.
Likewise, he was also accompanied by Amb. Salma Ahmed, Amb. Patrick Wamoto, Ms. Joan Otieno, Mr. Andrew Muriuki and Commission Secretary Dr. Simon Rotich. Others were PSC Directors, Dr. Sylvester Obong’o and Ms. Joan Machayo.
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Australia–Kenya relations
The two Countries established diplomatic relations in 1965. Ties between the two countries include collaboration on agriculture , counter-terrorism and piracy, mining exploration and education.
Likewise, the two Countries also cooperate closely across a wide range of areas. They include climate change, food security and in multilateral fora as well as education.
Currently, the two Countries are both members of the Indian-Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC). The Association, founded by Australia in 1997. It helps to facilitate trade and cooperation between nations bordering the Indian Ocean.
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Australia Diplomatic Mission to Kenya
To better Improve relations, the Australian Government officially opened the new Australian High Commission offices in February 2023. The offices are located in Nairobi, Kenya.
The opening of the new Chancery marked a significant milestone in it’s relationship with Kenya. The chancery now serves as a base for Australia’s relations with Burundi, Rwanda, Somalia, Tanzania and Uganda – to which accredits Australia.
While Australia’s diplomatic presence in Kenya is not new, investment in this building demonstrates the importance Australia places in deepening its engagement with the Kenyan government and people
The Kenyan community In Australia also continues to grow with 19,390 people born in Kenya, most having arrived in the last 10 years as skilled migrants. There is a strong Kenyan diaspora in Australia.
At the same time, Australian aid to Sub-Saharan Africa focusses on education, agriculture, extractives and governance. The majority of the bilateral program is Australia Awards scholarships.
In June this year, the two Countries agreed to enhance collaboration in various fields through the strengthening of parliamentary ties.
The two countries made the commitments when Speaker of Kenya- National Assembly hosted Australian High Commissioner to Kenya Luke Williams who called on him in his office at Parliament Buildings.
Williams said the two Countries historically enjoy a cordial relationship, which required boosting through formal Parliamentary engagements
More over, the two leader’s emphasized on the need to explore more areas of partnership. These partnership Will include tourism and trade.