Kenya, UK Re-affirm Good Strong Ties

PRESS STATEMENT BY AMB (DR) AMINA C. MOHAMED, CABINET SECRETARY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS

I am delighted to welcome the Rt. Hon. Boris Johnson and his delegation on his maiden visit to Kenya as Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Kenya and the United Kingdom have enjoyed long standing historical ties and the Government and the people of Kenya have continued to receive support from the UK over the years in various sectors that are most critical for our development.

This historic visit provides avenues for a more strengthened partnership between our two countries.  We have had fruitful discussion on issues of great importance to our bilateral relations including:

  1. Trade and investment

The UK is a critical development partner to Kenya, as well as the largest foreign investor in this country.

Currently there are over 210 British companies based in Kenya valued at over STG £ 2.5 billion.

  1. Defence and Security

Kenya and the UK are committed to continue collaboration in defence and security related issues. This will enhance security in Kenya and the region for the benefit of all citizens, investors and the visitors.

  1. Education Sector

In the Education Sector, we discussed cooperation in capacity building including; Kenya has received 61 scholarships from the United Kingdom for various courses; thirty-one (31) from Chevening and thirty (30) Commonwealth Scholarships last academic year.

  1. Post Brexit

Kenya respects the sovereign decision of the British Government to withdraw from the European Union. Kenya’s main concern has been how this would impact trade relations between our two countries.  We have however agreed to establish a platform that will discuss and manage the best way of securing and enhancing our trade and investment relationship.

  1. Visa

We discussed existing visa regulations and I requested the Foreign Secretary and the British Government to accept re-establishing the Visa Processing office in Nairobi to become the regional office, and ease the enormous difficulty our citizens face in obtaining Visas.

  1. Regional Matters

On Somalia, we agreed that the successful elections and peaceful transition established a positive trend line in that country and that we should all support the government in its efforts to secure peace, stability and prosperity.  To this end, we agreed that the imminent London Somali Conference would enrich this commitment.

We also discussed the situation in South Sudan and encouraged the parties to work harder to arrive at a mutually beneficial solution.

On refugees, an IGAD Extraordinary Summit on Somali Refugees will be held in Nairobi on 25th March, 2017 (late next week)

 Global/Multilateral issues

We discussed issues of climate change and the need to ensure continued momentum on the Paris Agreement.  We appreciate the support UK has been giving Kenya for climate change programmes that help build resilience and urge for continued and enhanced support from the UK’s International Climate Fund (ICF).

  1. Tourism

We are confident that the visit of the Foreign Secretary will encourage British citizens to visit Kenya in even greater multitude as tourists.   I wish the Foreign Secretary enjoyable and fruitful stay in our country and to enjoy our wonderful flora and fauna.

Thank You.