Trade, war on terror top agenda as Uhuru visits France, Germany

President Uhuru Kenyatta has left the country for France and Germany as he seeks to strengthen trade ties and collaboration in the fight against terror.

The President will first tour France from Monday to Wednesday where he is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with his host President Francois Hollande among other engagements.

According to a statement by State House spokesperson Manoah Esipisu, talks between the two leaders will also focus on matters of security, with President Kenyatta and his host seeking a strategic partnership that will stem the rise of violent extremism in Africa and the world.

“Kenya greatly appreciates France as a long-standing friend and prized partner. France is the 6th largest investor in Kenya, which is also the largest recipient of French Overseas Development Assistance,” stated Esipisu.

“Through the Africa Development Bank, the French Government has committed Ksh88.5 billion to Kenya to finance a wide range of projects in the country. Kenya Informal Sector Program last year benefitted from Ksh5 billion from the French Development Agency (AFD) to finance the upgrading of slums.”

He further stated that: “President Kenyatta and President Hollande, who stand together in the global war on terror, will be seeking out synergies to enhance security in the horn of Africa, even as they strive to develop trade relations between the two countries.”

In the course of his visit, the president will tour the French Crisis Management Centre and the Headquarters of French Intelligence Services.

He will then head to Germany on Wednesday where he will hold talks with German Chancellor Dr Angela Merkel on ways of deepening the existing bilateral relations in key areas of mutual interest such as trade and investment, tourism, education, culture and security.

“Currently, Germany is the second largest source of tourists travelling to Kenya after the United Kingdom, with Kenya’s exports rising to Ksh11 billion in 2014. There are about 90 German companies that have invested about USD120 million in Kenya and created over 4200 jobs,” noted the State House spokesman.

This will be the first official visit to Germany by a Kenyan head of state since 1999.

President Kenyatta and Chancellor Merkel will also consider the resumption of direct passenger German Airline Lufthansa flights to Kenya after a 16-year hiatus in a move that will tremendously boost Kenya’s tourism sector.