Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Kenya and Italy to Strengthen Mutual Cooperation

Kenya will benefit from increased bilateral cooperation with Italy, in fields ranging from space technology, agriculture, education, water management and joint security. This was announced during a visit to Kenya by the Italian Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr. Franco Frattini.

Hon. Frattini, who arrived in Kenya on 14^th January 2010, for a two day official visit, met President Mwai Kibaki at Harambee House. The President and the Italian Foreign Minister discussed various issues on Kenya-Italy relations, and regional security. Later, Hon. Frattini and Kenyan counterpart Hon. Moses Wetang’ula addressed a joint press conference at Serena hotel. The Italian foreign minister said Italy will grant Kenya a soft loan of Shs. 3.5 billion for the extension of aqueducts fed by the Kirandich and Kiambere reservoirs. The construction of the reservoirs was financed by the Italian government, and the new extension means that the project will now serve approximately 150, 000 inhabitants.The two foreign ministers reviewed the progress of various projects in Kenya funded by the Government of Italy. Hon. Wetang’ula said that beside the reservoirs, the loan will also fund the construction of sewer systems in Kabarnet and Mwingi districts. Experts from Italy, the Government of Kenya and Local Authorities have already conducted two assessment studies. The project is due to start in February 2010. Kenya and Italy also cooperate on space technology, with a pilot project at Malindi now its 15^th year. The San Marco Space Station was established in Malindi in 1995 for climate and military research. Hon. Frattini said that Italy is keen to renew the agreement that was signed in 1995 establishing the station. Hon. Wetang’ula urged the international community to co-operate in the effort to build peace and stability in Somalia. He called on the Government of Italy to increase the presence of its naval forces in the Indian Ocean in the fight against piracy around the coast of Somalia.The joint press conference at Serena was also addressed by Kenya’s Minister for Defence Hon. Yusuf Hajji, and several officers from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Defence.

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