Trade, Industry and Investment CS Moses Kuria was at pains to explain the fact that he has been a shareholder in a company that dealt with exporting labour to other countries including Saudi Arabia.

Speaking to Trevor Ombija, the investment banker who cut his teeth in the industry while working in the Gulf said that even in as much as he exited the business five years ago

The former Chama Cha Kazi party leader got worked up as trevor Ombija probed him further, he was not amused with the questions and he even called Trevor a “communist” for asking him why the government is reluctant to protect its citizens working abroad.

Mr Kuria got particularly infuriated when Trevor suggested that the reason why the government is not taking measures to regulate the trade of labour which can be likened to the slave trade was that influential people in government are part of the cartel in the labour export business.

The CS acknowledged that he has been a director of Emerging Human Capital, a company that trades in labour export since 2001 but exited in 2018.

The TV host ombija was armed with a copy of the CR12 document which is legal document that lists the directors of a company. The document showed that Kuria is still a director at the company.

“What is wrong with holding a business? Are you a communist? Trevor, you are anti-business. I am not a coward, I am not a hypocrite, I am a businessman. I have no regrets [for being a businessman]. I am holding this position (CS for Trade) because I encourage private sector investment.” The visibly angry CS shot back.

Ombija, did not take Kuria’s sentiments lying down.

 

“Mr. Kuria, have you proposed any laws in Parliament to better the working relations of Kenyans in the Gulf?” Ombija asked.

 

In a quick response, Kuria said: “I am not going to answer that because this is the normal Royal Media [Services] kind of way of victimising people and their businesses. I choose to look at the opportunities that are available and I have nothing meaningful to add to this conversation.”