The Brand Kenya Board CEO Mary Kimonye said that was a big step in the initiative saying Kenya is seeking substantial publicity and exposure during the upcoming London Olympics, banking on the performance of their medium and long distance runners, as the state corporation is aiming to raise Sh4.5 Billion (5 million US Dollars).

“We are seeking funds from the private sector through a partnership that will enable us sponsor a number of events in the Kenya House. “The level of funding we are looking is from companies that we want them to raise is about $5.5 million, ,” Kimonye said.
The games will be held in London from July 27 to August 12, followed by the 2012 Paralympics Games from August 29 to September 9 and Brand Kenya is aiming to raise all the money from companies in the private sector.

The new image will be marketed under a theme “Kenya House” in which Kenya’s sporting prowess will be used to attract investors.
“We want to market Kenya not only as a sporting nation, but an investment destination. We are seeking funds from the private sector through a partnership that will enable us sponsor a number of events in the Kenya House,” she said.
At the Kenya House a series of events showcasing Kenyan produce and products such as tea, coffee, flowers but also other exports like fruits and vegetables while highlighting investment opportunities in the energy sector, manufacturing, agro processing and of course the tourism industry.

The campaign is co-sponsored by the Kenya Tourist Board (KTB), the Kenya Investment Authority, the Kenya Export Promotion Council and other national bodies with links to foreign trade.
The National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) has also thrown their weight behind the initiative, aimed to show Kenya from its sunniest side and capitalize on the world coming together in London this summer.

Kimonye revealed the Kenya House venue was still undergoing a selection process. She said:”We had identified a venue to start with but lost it to another country. The Kenya mission has gone on the drawing board to identify another alternative venue.
“They have given commitment that within a week, they should be able to tell us where it is available, although there are ready available alternatives in case they don’t find one.”
During a function to launch the fund-raising initiative attended by corporates, private sector and Permanent Secretaries from various ministries, Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) funded the initiative with Sh25 million at a Nairobi hotel, yesterday.
Kimonye was in London on September 27th last year to deliberate with Kenyans the idea of establishing Kenya Hospitality House during London 2012 Olympic Games.

She met the Diaspora and discussed their involvement during the Olympics, especially raising the profile of Kenya, the services that the Diaspora can render to the “House” to deliver and showcase Kenya’s culture and art, tourism, fashion, property, cuisine, commerce and trade .
The meeting’s outcome which was co-chaired by the Kenya High Commissioner in Britain was informed to the government on how Kenya can maximize the opportunities offered by the Games to market the country to the whole world.
The Kenya Tourist Board is expected to launch new promotional material, showing off not only the country’s best known attractions but also the newly opened tourists circuits in Western Kenya, while music, song, dance and poetry too will provide entertainment, highlighting the rich cultural variety of the country.
Corporate sponsors are now being approached with the concept of a Kenya House during the July / August main Olympic Games and shortly afterwards the Paralympics which will extend the spotlight on the planned events into September.