By Patricia Mollyne Mataga
President Willia Ruto on Thursday left the country for a twin visit to Tanzania and Zimbabwe.
State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohammed in a statement said the President will be in Tanzania to participate in celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of the union of mainland Tanzania and the island of Zanzibar.
“The President’s participation in this national celebration will underscore Kenya’s cherished relationship, good neighbourliness and steadfast partnership and solidarity with the United Republic of Tanzania and its people,” Mohammed said in part of the statement.
After a visit to Tanzania, the Head of State will head to Zimbabwe for a two-day state visit. The visit, Hussein Mohammed said, is aimed at bolstering political, economic and socio-cultural ties between Kenya and Zimbabwe.
While in the Southern Africa Country, Ruto will be the chief guest at the 64th Zimbabwe International Trade Fair that will be held in Bulawayo.
“he will emphasize the significance of international trade fairs and forums as catalysts for economic development, industrial growth, global linkages and job creation,” the State House Spokesperson said.
“The visit elevates existing the existing strong bilateral ties between the two countries by upgrading the current Joint Permanent Commission for Cooperation at a ministerial level to a Bi-national commission at the head of state level,” he added.
Seven bilateral agreements are also expected to be signed during the State Visit.
They will cover among others health, defense, investment, education, transport and capacity building in public service.
The Head of State is also scheduled to hold talks with his host Emerson Mnangagwa where he will he will express the need for closer air connectivity between the two countries in the spirit of the Africa Continental Trade Fair (AfCTA) and the Tripartite Free Trade Area.
“The President will also share Kenya’s perspective on climate action and the urgent need for the United Nations Security Council reforms that respond to the current global realities,” read the statement.
As the chairman of the African Union institutional reforms, Ruto will also seek the Zimbabwean President’s views and ideas on how to strengthen the institution.
