Kenyan Ambassador to the United States, Lazarus Amayo, on Friday July 17, met with President Donald Trump to strengthen ties between the two nations.
Amayo and Trump discussed bi-lateral trade between the two countries and how to combat terrorism in Kenya with threats from the Al-Shabaab.
Amayo formally took over his duties more than 12 months after President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed him to the Ambassadorial position.
The meeting took place at White House in Washington with Amayo previously holding a post as Kenya's United Nations envoy.
Trump and Amayo discussed the launch of negotiations that could see Kenya and US enter a free trade agreement.
This would enter into the history books as it would be the first agreement between the US and a sub-Saharan Africa country.
Amayo also reiterated to Trump that Kenya was willing to extend its counter-terrosim partnership with the US.
Trump also spoke of his commitment to assist in combating the al-Shabaab terror group and to help Kenya with Maritime security initiatives.
The US President also noted that Kenya winning the non-permanent UN Security Council seat would further bolster ties between the two nations.
Also present in the Friday ceremony was the formal installation of ambassadors to the US from Zambia, South Africa, United Kingdom, Guatemala, Moldova and Benin.
Amayo has a wealth of experience having previously served as Kenya's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 2014 to 2018.
Before venturing into diplomacy, Amayo was previously the Member of Parliament for Karachuonyo Constituency from 1989 – 1992 a position he was elected on a KANU ticket and was also the Assistant Minister of Education in the same period.
