Kenya, Japan mark 60 years of diplomatic relations

Kenya and Japan have marked 60 years since the establishment of their diplomatic relations.

To commemorate this milestone and further strengthen relations between the two countries, the “Japan-Kenya Urban Development and Transport Symposium” took place on January 24, 2023, at the Embassy of Japan.

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The symposium was hosted by the Embassy of Japan and co-sponsored by the World Bank and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The Second Secretary of the Embassy of Japan Naomitsu Katsumi said the symposium shared Japan’s experience and know-how on urban development and transport and discussed possibilities for future cooperation with Kenya.

"The shared experience will help resolve the serious social issue of traffic congestion in Kenya," he said.

"Traffic congestion is a serious issue in Kenya, resulting in economic losses estimated at more than Sh100 billion per year."

Katsumi said Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) is a possible solution to this problem.

The symposium shared Japanese experience/know-how on urban development and transport and discussed possibilities for future cooperation.

Since the first operation of the Japanese railway in 1872, Japan’s urban development proceeded side by side with the planned expansion of railway networks, and later road networks.

This approach, called “Ensen Kaihatsu” in Japanese, is a precursor of Transit-Oriented Development.

Since then state railway and road companies have been privatised, and currently, the private sector is mainly in charge of managing public transport infrastructure.

This contributes to the efficient operation and maintenance of infrastructure while promoting revenues from both transport revenues and commercial use of land and buildings.

Katsumi said the application of Japanese know-how can lead to more mobile and sustainable cities in Kenya.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Cabinet Secretary for Roads, Transport and Public Works Kipchumba Murkomen and Mombasa Governor Abdullswamad Sharif Nassir were present at the symposium.