President Uhuru Kenyatta received donations from his US counterpart, President Joe Biden, at the White House when the two met on Thursday, October 14.
Biden’s government donated 17 million more Covid-19 vaccines to the African Union (AU), through Uhuru.
"And we are continuing our shared mitigation of Covid-19. The United States has donated 2.8 million doses of vaccine to Kenya as part of the 50 million doses we have donated to the African Union (AU)."
"And I’m proud to announce that - today, that we’re making an additional historic one-time donation of 17 more million doses of J&J vaccine to the AU, and we’re going to be sending some more of these by the end of the year to Kenya," President Biden stated.
Uhuru lauded the US government for its continued support to Kenya and Africa in addressing the pandemic. He also noted that most African countries were struggling to access vaccines.
"Let me also take this opportunity, through you, to thank your government and the people of the United States. During this very difficult time, the United States has done its best to step up in terms of not only helping Kenya but the African continent in general, with regard to access to vaccines."
"I’m happy to hear your new announcement of that increase because as many of you will know, as a continent, we are lagging well behind the rest of the world in terms of being able to vaccinate our people,” Uhuru stated.
The two leaders further discussed the global efforts against insecurity, climate change, trade and investment and business interest between Kenya and the US.
Uhuru recognised the US continued support and partnership with Kenya in the move to address insecurity.
On climate change, the President noted that Kenya had made tremendous progress in climate change adaptation and mitigation, and welcomed the US back to the Paris Agreement.
Biden agreed with Uhuru and added that the US acknowledges Kenya’s steadfastness in safeguarding regional stability and advancing democracy.
"And I want to thank Kenya - thank you for your leadership in defending the peace, security, and democratic instincts of the region and your country. You’re doing a heck of a job," Biden lauded.
Uhuru made history by being the first African Head of State to meet Biden at the White House since the latter was sworn into office on January 20, 2021. President Kenyatta was accompanied to the White House by Cabinet Secretaries Raychelle Omamo (Foreign Affairs) Betty Maina (Trade), Trade PS Johnson Weru and Kenya's Ambassador to Washington, Lazarus Amayo.
