Lieutenant General Samuel Thuita promised to protect and promote Kenya's interests should he become ambassador to Israel.
Thuita told MPs in the Defence and Foreign Relations Committee, who vetted him on Thursday, that he will focus on improving relations between the two counties.
“I will go there to protect, project, and promote Kenya's interests,” the former Air Force Commander said, citing foreign direct investment by companies in Israel in line with the Big Four Agenda.
Thuita also said he will help create youth employment by allowing them to take educational trips to Israel.
“Israel has technology that we can use and is known for start-up innovations which the youth can take advantage of,” he said.
“They will go there, train come back and improve our economy.”
He added that the technology will boost the fight against terrorism through cutting edge surveillance and intelligence gathering.
On trade relations, the candidate noted that
Israel imports many products from Kenya so his team will analyse niche markets for more exports.
While acknowledging
Israel's conflict with its neigbour Palestine over Jerusalem, Thuita said he will work on close relations with both counties.
“Kenya is a friend of both Israel and Palestine and supporting the AU and UN's resolutions on the conflict," he said.
Thuita's background in the military is to his advantage considering Israel's prowess.
Earlier on Thursday, Sarah Serem
apologised for stepping on the toes of MPs and others during her term as chair of the Salaries and Remuneration
Commission.
The candidate noted that her firmness was not ill-intended. She pointed out that
her ability to mediate in conflicts and her experience have seen her sit in boards of various institutions.
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