The President of the East Africa Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture (EACCIA) is Richard Ngatia has paid a glowing tribute to former Prime Minister the Rt. Honorable Raila Odinga who passed on yesterday while receiving treatment in India.
Raila has been at the forefront in championing for development of the entrepreneurial space in Kenya and around the continent and Ngatia lauded the departed leader as a visionary leader who embodies wisdom and courage.
While remembering Raila’s contribution to development in the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry when Ngatia was the KNCCI President to his involvement with the various Chambers of Commerce including the EACCIA, Ngatia noted that Raila has had a long-lasting support for business and was very supportive to Ngatia when he launched his book Commerce and Industry in Kenya – A Historical Perspective by Richard Ngatia.
“I am profoundly saddened by the loss of my dear friend, Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga. He was a visionary leader, embodying wisdom and courage, and his legacy will undoubtedly inspire future generations. Personally, I will always treasure the moments we shared, his keen business insight, and his steadfast support for MSMEs. On behalf of my family and that of myself i share my deepest condolences to Mama Ida Odinga and the entire family during this difficult time,” Ngatia said in his message of condolence.
Ngatia noted that Raila offered him a shoulder to lean on when he was bereaved and the ODM Leader former Prime Minister Raila Odinga attended the funeral of Ngatia’s late father in their Kangemi home on 15th June 2021
The former Prime Minister was the chief guest during Ngatia’s book launch in 2022 when he launched a book on the evolution of trade in Kenya.
The book, set from 1961 takes the reader back to precolonial times when Africans used barter trade and finally using the Indian Rupees with the landing of imperialists building the Kenya Uganda Railway upon which the Hut Tax was introduced for any native African 16 years and above. Before the British Pound was introduced here, the colonists had used the East Africa Florin Standard in 1920 and 1922 before finally introducing the Kenya Shilling that is used to date as a the currency for means of exchange.
The book with a deep historical insight takes the reader back into 1890 when the General Act of Brussels Conference was signed in as Slave treaty by order to colonists Great Britain, Germany, Austria, Persia, Denmark, Italy, USA, Holland, Sweden Russia, Portugal, and turkey.
The book, Commerce and Industry in Kenya – A Historical Perspective, also explores growth of modern agriculture in Kenya with the introduction of such crops as maize, sugar, tea, coffee, cashew nits and sisal into the country from the outside world.
“I was inspired to write the book because for a long time, the Chamber has achieved much but that story has not been told,” said Ngatia after the launch of the book at the graced by the then Azimio Presidential candidate Raila Odinga.
In his speech during the launch, Raila noted that the Chamber has done well telling his own story how he started his East African Specter that he established after buying machinery from an Indian Sikh who was running away persecuting by the Idi Amin Administration in Uganda.
Raila outlined the achievement of the Chamber under President Ngatia including registering over 50,000 new direct members and another 2 million members through associations such as the Jua Kali National Association and Ngatia has noted Raila has been a staunch supporter of the chambers both at home and around the region.