President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Zambian counterpart, Hakainde Hichilema, have solidified the relationship between the two countries after signing six deals at State House.
During the meeting held on Wednesday, June 15, the two Heads of State agreed to cooperate in the field of veterinary and animal health as well as enhance international relations studies and research.
Other agreements gravitated around cooperation in the promotion of cooperatives and the memorandum of understanding between the Kenya Tourism Federation (KTF) and the Tourism Council of Zambia (TCZ).
The two countries will also collaborate in the tourism sector as well as in the field of information, communication and technology.
In tourism, Kenya's leading trainer, the Kenya Utalii College, will work in tandem with the Zambia Institute for Tourism and Hospitality Studies.
The two leaders agreed that the signing of the instruments of cooperation sets out an extensive framework for the consolidation and deepening of relations for the mutual benefit of the people of the two countries.
The agreement is part of Hichilema's two-day state visit to the country and was received by President Uhuru Kenyatta in a colourful state reception that included a guard of honour mounted by a detachment of the Kenya Air Force and a 21-gun-salute.
The trip marks the Zambian president's first visit to Kenya since clinching power in August 2021. Coincidentally, 2022 serves as Uhuru's last year in office.
In his speech, Hichilema noted that the trip was his constant search for economic opportunities to liberate his people.
"We have safely arrived in Nairobi, Kenya. Your Chief Marketing Officer is here to enhance trade and investment opportunities between our two countries and place Zambia on the world map as an ambitious country whose focus is economic development for the people,” he said in a statement on Wednesday, after touching down in Nairobi.
On Thursday, Hichilema is scheduled to visit the innovations incubation laboratory for techies, I-Hub in Nairobi and the Maramba Tea Factory in Limuru.
He was accompanied to Kenya by Zambia’s Minister for Commerce, Trade and Industry, Chipoka Mulenga.
