Ambassador Isaac Keen Parashina, the nominee for Kenya’s ambassadorial position in Abuja, Nigeria, has passionately expressed his dedication to enhancing trade, security, and diplomatic relations between the two nations, pending approval by the National Assembly.
In the vetting process before the Committee on Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations, Ambassador Parashina, who previously served as the deputy head of the Kenyan Mission to Israel, outlined his plans to leverage his substantial government experience to bolster bilateral ties between Kenya and Nigeria.
Despite lacking formal diplomatic training, Ambassador Parashina emphasized his extensive professional background in local government, county administration, and the National Government, which he believes will be instrumental in his role as an ambassador.
“I have significant working experience, ranging from local government to county administration and the National Government. These skills will be invaluable in my work at the Embassy,” stated Ambassador Parashina confidently.
Committee Chair Hon. Nelson Koech assured that the Committee would conduct a thorough assessment of Ambassador Parashina’s qualifications and competence before presenting their final report to the House.
Ambassador Parashina addressed the shared security challenges faced by both countries, including Boko Haram and Al-Shabaab, expressing his determination to explore opportunities for cooperation and coordination to effectively address these issues.
Furthermore, he mentioned plans to review the bilateral relations between Kenya and Nigeria to foster closer ties and facilitate trade.
“We have established good bilateral relations with Nigeria. However, trade volumes remain significantly low with the Western West African country. One of the agreements made in 2021 is to establish a bilateral trade agreement,” explained Ambassador Parashina.
He expressed confidence in his suitability for the role, citing his extensive experience and exposure to diplomatic and bilateral engagements gained over the years.
“I firmly believe that my active engagement over the last three years, coupled with the experience gained in various devolved units, has equipped me to handle diplomatic and bilateral engagements effectively,” affirmed Ambassador Isaac Keen Parashina.
Parashina is net worth sits at 61M.
Ambassador Parashina, a seasoned urban planner with previous experience in Garissa and Kajiado Counties, defended his absence of formal diplomatic education. He asserted that his professional expertise would be the driving force behind elevating Kenya-Nigeria relations to new heights.
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