Kenya / Botswana

The Kenya High Commision in Botswana

Kenya and Botswana established bilateral relations immediately after Botswana achieved her independence in 1966. Initially, Kenya’s High Commission in Lusaka, Zambia was accredited to Botswana. A consulate was opened in December 1997 following a request by the Kenyan Community in Botswana. The Consulate was upgraded to a fully-fledged High Commission in 2001. The core responsibility of the High Commission is to articulate Kenya’s foreign policy, strengthen bilateral relations with Botswana, provide consular services, promote economic and commercial interests, and safeguard Kenya’s national interests. The High Commission is also accredited to the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Brief History About kenya

Kenya is named after a mountain of the same name. The Kikuyu people, who lived around present day Mt Kenya, referred to it as "Kirinyaga" or "Kerenyaga", meaning mountain of whiteness because of its snow-capped peak. Mt Kirinyaga, which was the main landmark, became synonymous with the territory the British later claimed as their colony. However, the name 'Kenya" arose out of the inability of the British to pronounce Kirinyaga correctly.

Independent Kenya

The first Government of independent Kenya immediately had to deal with some pressing economic and political problems. The priorities were acceleration of growth, Kenyanisation of the economy and redistribution of incomes. None of this, however, could be achieved without political stability, and it was first felt necessary to neutralize those elements in the country who supported extreme policies and who were undermining, rather than building confidence in the new nation. Thus, Kenya embarked on the road to peace and stability, which has made it possible for the country to realize great strides in development.The country has had five Presidents since independence. Upon Jomo Kenyattas death on 22nd August 1978, Daniel arap Moi took over the leadership. He retired on 30th December 2002 in line with a constitutional Provision which limits the Presidential term to a maximum 10 years of 5 years each. This provision took effect in 1991 following the re-introduction of multipartism. Previously Kenya was a single party state.