Minister Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran has been chosen by the Taoiseach to represent Ireland in Kenya for St Patrick’s Day.
Minister Moran’s trip marks the first time that an Irish minister will visit Kenya for St Patrick’s Day, and is an opportunity for the Irish government to strengthen its trade links with the East African nation.
“At the moment we have a business agreement in the areas of potato production, education, marine research and medical technology. So the links are already there. This trip is about expanding those links,” Moran explained.
Kenya has a population of some 50 million, and one of the highest economic growth rates on the African continent. The Irish Government opened an embassy in the capital, Nairobi, in 2016.
“It is exciting times for me to be representing the people of Ireland, and to be a representative of my own locality of Athlone and Longford-Westmeath as well, in heading over to Kenya. To be able to go out there in that capacity is very important to me and it is a proud time for me.”
Minister Moran spoke of his surprise at hearing his assignment this week.
“There were some countries being talked about in the last couple of weeks, but nobody really knew who was going where,” he said. “I was driving down from Dublin on Tuesday evening and Eugene my advisor was looking up things online, and he turned to me and said; ‘Boxer you are going to Kenya.
“The Taoiseach has shown faith in me in sending me somewhere we have not been in the past, and I am really looking forward to it.”
