The government has entered into a partnership with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to modernise Kenya's transport sector through the use of new technology.
This follows the signing of seven agreements between Kenya and the UAE, which are also aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation between the two nations.
A statement released by the State House on Thursday evening said the agreement touched on several issues, including the transport sector, with particular focus on the rail transport.
In the agreements, Kenya Railways Corporation and Etihad Rail Company formalised a partnership to advance Kenya’s railway sector, focusing on knowledge sharing.
Other areas of partnership between Kenya Railways and Etihad Rail Company include conducting feasibility studies for testing new technologies to boost industrial development.
The agreements also covered cooperation in military affairs, economic development, energy, customs, and the establishment of a joint business council.
In the energy sector, the agreement focused on renewable energy, with plans to implement wind, solar, and geothermal projects to further accelerate the transition to clean energy.
On customs cooperation, the deal aimed at improving the enforcement of laws, combating illicit trade, enhancing information sharing, and strengthening border control measures.
To bolster private sector ties, the two nations agreed to establish a Kenya-UAE Joint Business Council to foster closer business relations and deepen trade and investment links.
The military agreement saw the two nations commit to collaborating under national laws and international obligations to boost security. It also seeks to strengthen defence capacity, build institutional partnerships, and promote regional peace and stability.
The deals signed at State House in Nairobi on Thursday came four months after the two countries signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in Abu Dhabi, UAE, in January. The agreement was primarily aimed at enhancing trade and investment between the two countries.
It also sought to deepen trade ties by eliminating barriers to trade, simplifying customs procedures, and promoting industrialisation and regional value chains.
