Uhuru Signs Multi-Billion Deal with France President [PHOTOS]

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron at Elysee Palace on Wednesday evening, September 30.
President Uhuru Kenyatta and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron at Elysee Palace on Wednesday evening, September 30.
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President Uhuru Kenyatta and his french counterpart Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday evening, September 30, held talks at Elysee Palace (French President's official residence) in Paris, France.

Kenyatta, who arrived at the palace shortly after 9pm local time, inspected a guard of honour mounted by the French military at the start of an elaborate State reception ceremony.

The leaders witnessed the signing of three bilateral agreements and led delegations at a State Banquet hosted in honour of president Kenyatta. 

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his France counterpart Emmanuel Macron at Elysee Palace in Paris, France
President Uhuru Kenyatta and his France counterpart Emmanuel Macron at Elysee Palace in Paris, France
PSCU

Later, the two leaders retreated for private talks.

Among agreements reached is a Public Private Partnership (PPP) for the construction of the Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit highway signed between KeNHA and Vinci Concessions.

Others were agreements for the development of the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) commuter railway line and the 400KV Menengai-Rongai electricity transmission line. 

Kenya's ambassador to France Professor Judi Wakhungu stated that the president's visit would strengthen people-to-people and commercial ties between the two nations.

Wakhungu stated that the Nairobi CBD to JKIA commuter rail link would help enhance movement of travellers between the city centre and Kenya's foremost international airport.

"Our aspiration is to see that this commuter railway line eases traffic in Nairobi but also eases the movement of people within Nairobi. We hope that along the route and the surrounding areas, other businesses will be able to grow," Prof Wakhungu stated.

She added that the PPP agreement would help decongest the existing highway and enhance efficiency of cargo transport to Western Kenya and onwards into the export markets of East and Central Africa.

"We hope that extending this highway which is going to be about 200km, again, will ease traffic on that particular very, very important route. I need not remind Kenyans that this is a major highway that connects Mombasa, Nairobi and all the way to Uganda, Rwanda and other parts of Central Africa," she added.

She also noted that over 100 French companies operate in Kenya.

"The largest component of our relationship is actually education. We have had Kenyan students in France for many years, we have also had French researchers in Kenya for very many years," Prof Wakhungu stated.

"When it comes to investment and the private sector, we have over 100 French companies operating in Kenya," she added.

President Kenyatta is accompanied on his France visit by Cabinet Secretaries Raychelle Omamo (Foreign Affairs), Ukur Yatani (Treasury), James Macharia (Infrastructure) and Betty Maina (Trade).

Kenyatta's visit followed president Macron's historic visit to Nairobi in March 2019.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his France counterpart Emmanuel Macron at Elysee Palace in Paris, France on Tuesday evening, September 30.
President Uhuru Kenyatta and his France counterpart Emmanuel Macron at Elysee Palace in Paris, France on Tuesday evening, September 30.
PSCU