Update 16:10pm: Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang'i met with President Hakainde Hichilema where he conveyed President Uhuru Kenyatta's request to Zambia to support Kenya’s candidate for the post of the Secretary-General for the Commonwealth of Nations.
Uhuru has nominated Defence Cabinet Secretary Dr Monica Juma for the influential position of the Commonwealth an organisation that brings together the United Kingdom and 53 other countries that were colonies of Britain.
Through Dr Matiangi, President Kenyatta invited his Zambian counterpart to visit Kenya at his convenience.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has sent Interior Cabinet Secretary, Dr Fred Matiang'i on a crucial mission to Zambia.
The Interior CS arrived in Lusaka, Zambia on Thursday morning, September 2, and was received by envoys from the southern African country.
A statement from the Interior CS Twitter account indicates that Matiang'i will be delivering a special message from Uhuru to newly-elected Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema.
The Interior CS did not reveal what Uhuru's message to Hichilema was but noted that Zambia and Kenya share bilateral relations in trade, among others.
"Kenya and Zambia enjoy a rich history of bilateral relations in trade and cooperation in strategic and mutual geopolitical interests."
"Looking forward to delivering H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta's special message to the newly elected President," the CS stated in the statement.
Uhuru is looking to build strong partnerships with Zambia and he was among the ten African Heads of State and Government at Hichilema's inauguration in Lusaka on August 24, 2021.
President Kenyatta was joined by ODM leader Raila Odinga, whose arrival in Zambia raised questions on whether he was attending the ceremony as a government representative, a party representative or in his personal capacity.
However, the Zambia inauguration committee later explained that President Kenyatta would represent Kenya in an official capacity, while Raila was part of Opposition leaders from around the continent who had been asked to grace the occasion.
The ODM leader was invited alongside firebrand South African Politician Julius Malema, Zimbabwe Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa, among others.
59-year-old Hichilema served as Zambia's Opposition leader for many years - most recently under incumbent President Edgar Lungu who lost the election.
