By Patricia Mollyne Mataga
After successfully completing his state visit to Ghana, President William Ruto on Saturday embarked on a similar journey to Guinea-Bissau.
On Saturday, the Head of State, in an update on his social media pages said he held talks with his host Umaro Sissoco Embalo.
Ruto admitted that Kenya’s bilateral relation with Guinea-Bissau was still low.
However, he expressed optimism that with the coming in force of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement, trade between the two countries will improve.
“We acknowledge that trade and investment between Kenya and Guinea-Bissau is low. However, there is room for improvement with the coming into effect of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement,” Ruto said in a statement posted on his verified X handle.
He went further to list a number of areas Kenya is looking forward to collaborating with Guinea-Bissau for mutual benefit of the two nations.
“We also undertake to cooperate in areas of security, agriculture, the Blue Economy and environment for our mutual benefit,” the President said.
Aside from the bilateral talks, Ruto was also awarded with the host country’s medal of Honour.
He was on Wednesday also awarded the highest honour while in Ghana.
“Humbled to be presented with the ‘Medalha Amílcar Cabral’, Guinea-Bissau’s Medal of Honor,” the President said, adding that “We will keep combining efforts to unite and transform Africa.”
Since he was sworn in as Kenya’s fifth President in 2022, Ruto has had several foreign trips aimed at strengthening bilateral and investiment ties.
While the numerous trips outside the country have been criticized by the opposition, the President insists they are for the food good of the country.