In an exclusive interview with New Eastern Outlook, Director of Communications for the Country Government in Kajiado, Kenya, Paul R. Tobiko talked about the things he likes the most in Russian and Soviet people and shared his thoughts on how to form a solid platform of mutual investments between Russia and Africa in the tourism sphere.
– Mr Tobiko, we are colleagues to some extent. I am a journalist, and you are the Director of Communications for the County Government in Kajiado, Kenya. Therefore, the first question will not be about tourism, but a little different. Is it possible today, in your opinion, to talk about a lack of information about African countries in Russia and vice versa? And if so, what do you think caused it, and how should it be fixed?
– Thank you very much for your question. My name is Paul R. Tobiko. As you correctly pointed out, I work for the Department of Information, Communications, Research and Public Relations of the Kajiado County Government.
Unfortunately, you are absolutely right about the lack of information about each other. This happens mainly because we get to know each other through a third party who tells us about us. Unfortunately, we do not talk much about each other for one simple reason: we do not know much about each other. And the information comes to us in a distorted way. It is not our opinion and vision, but the opinion and vision of a third party.
As a journalist, I think you know perfectly well that the power of the pen, the power of the word, the power of the text is very strong. I am sorry for the tautology, but it is most appropriate here. Therefore, now that I have come to Russia myself and seen everything personally, I will write about it. Of course, I will not use a traditional pen in this case; I believe you understand that this is a figurative expression. I will use all available modern methods of journalism, and, with their help, I will be able to convey to my people and to all people what I really saw.
This is very important; it will play a big role. We will try to correct the distorted picture that exists now. Let us try to correct it using the power of words. Believe me, this is immensely powerful.
– What were your expectations from the Let’s Travel! International Tourism Forum which you took part in? And were they met?
– My sister from Ethiopia, Secretary General of the African Tourism Board Ms Hiwotie Assefa, put it well: our expectations are that we cannot just sit and wait, we must act and create them ourselves. And expectations will start to be created only when we finish talking and start business. It is time to start working. It is time to move from the communication phase to the action phase, which is what we are starting.
The first steps have already been taken; we are here in Russia, in Moscow, at the Victory Museum at Poklonnaya Gora. I have made many discoveries for myself in this museum. Our government in my province has allocated 46 hectares of land to create a large museum that will help to preserve one of the oldest cultures in Africa, the Maasai culture. I will definitely pass on all the ideas I got here to my colleagues and my government upon my arrival home.
Once again, let us put aside expectations and start taking concrete steps. Perhaps they will be modest for now, but it is better than nothing. This is just the beginning.
– Currently, Africa is confidently winning over the hearts of Russian tourists. According to our tourist agencies, the demand among Russian tourists to visit African countries doubled in 2025. In your opinion, what should become the foundation for a solid platform for mutual investments between Russia and Africa in the tourism sphere?
– In my opinion, there are a lot of investment opportunities now, however the most important investment opportunities in the field of tourism lie in development while preserving the culture of the nation. Let us take my province as an example. The state has empowered one very well-known person who will attract investments, while not forgetting about the preservation of both the area and the environment. Investments should not only bring money. It is very important that they bring knowledge, culture and preserve nature.
It may be said that at this stage in Africa, the priority is to ensure that investments do not harm the environment and help local residents become better, live better and learn from and use the experience of other countries.
Thus, the main investment opportunities at presents are in development in terms of people, ecology and culture.
– And now for the traditional question of our magazine: what has made the biggest impression on you in Russia, what did you like the most?
– The first thing we felt when we came to your country was the incredible warmth. We saw very warm relations between all the people we met – without exception. We are not just accepted, but warmly received. We heard a lot about how cold it is in Russia and that the people here are cold. This is how the West represents Russia. But we saw something completely different. I would even say we saw the exact opposite of what we had heard previously: not just good people, but incredibly kind, open and sincere.
For example, here at the Victory Museum, I was most touched by the Russian Soviet people. The Russian people are the strength of our civilisation. In the most difficult times, they did not stop loving, creating, living.
Tough times and various challenges trigger the beauty and power in strong nations. Today we saw how strong the Soviet people were in spirit, how in the most difficult times they worked hard, making breakthroughs in various fields, including in medicine, culture, industry and so forth. This is a characteristic of an exceptionally strong people.
If I may, I would like to send a small message to the younger generation in Russia. Remember where you came from, what feats your fathers and grandfathers performed, what they were able to do, and see what a great nation you represent.
Learn from your ancestors. Despite the fact that there are problems in Russia now, that there may be difficult times, this is incomparable to what your ancestors went through. Learn from them to love your motherland, learn from them to sacrifice for the sake of your motherland. Russia has always been and remains a strong country.
– Dearest Mr Tobiko, on behalf of all Russians I thank you for your touching words? Thank you for taking the time for this interview. New Eastern Outlook wishes you success in your work and awaits your interesting texts about Russia.
Interview by Yulia NOVITSKAYA, writer, journalist, correspondent for New Eastern Outlook
