The Government should open a Irish embassy in Kenya as a signal of support to NGOs working in the country, it was claimed today.
International agencies are battling to deliver humanitarian aid amid violence sparked by a dispute over December's national elections. Clashes have killed more than 1,000 people.
Oxfam Ireland today called for a fully-fledged Irish embassy to be established in Nairobi as a signal that the country is a political priority.
Ireland currently has an honorary consul in Nairobi which has limited influence and funding. Kenya's neighbouring countries of Ethiopia, Uganda and Tanzania all have Irish embassies.
Joseph Ole Simel of the Oxfam-backed MPIDO agency said: "An Irish embassy would show that Kenya is a bigger political priority for the Government.
Speaking during a visit to Dublin, he added: "I would also encourage the Taoiseach to visit the country to raise awareness of the challenges we face."
Mr Ahern led an Irish Aid delegation to visit projects in neighbouring Tanzania in mid-January. "At the moment everybody is concerned with the political violence in Kenya but there are also major issue in terms of shortages of water and food in some areas of the country," added Mr Simel.
MPIDO (Mainyoito Pastoralist Integrated Development Organisation) runs the Livelihoods Programme in Kenya which develops water services, livestock production and income diversification programmes. Oxfam Ireland has worked with MPIDO since 2002.
PA