President Uhuru Kenyatta has signed seven bilateral agreements with Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who succeeded ousted former Head of State, the late Robert Mugabe.
Speaking at State House Nairobi, on Wednesday, March 9, Uhuru revealed that Nairobi had signed seven Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with Harare that would boost the diplomatic relationship between the two countries.
President Kenyatta noted that the agreements would be essential in helping both countries in tackling common issues mainly touching on the creation of employment for youths and empowering women.
"The MoUs that have been signed will go a long way towards deepening our diplomatic, economic and people-to-people cooperation and enable us to work together to address critical issues in particular, those related to youth employment and women empowerment," the head of state noted.
Kenya and Zimbabwe inked agreements on cooperation in the promotion of women empowerment and community development, noting that it would play a great role in Kenya's dedication to achieving gender equality and uplifting women in society.
The two countries also agreed on political and diplomatic consultation, tourism and wildlife conservation, cooperation in civil aircraft accidents, and serious incidents investigations, youth affairs, promotion of cooperatives, and cooperation in the field of sports and recreation.
Uhuru revealed that he had assembled a team that will be mandated with ensuring the actualization of the signed MoUs.
"Our technical teams are under instruction to expedite the implementation of the actions that have been agreed upon today, and we are very keen, Your Excellency, to build on this historic visit to establish a strong and vibrant partnership between our two countries," President Kenyatta reiterated.
On his part, Mnangagwa echoed Kenyatta, affirming that Zimbabwe and Kenya have enjoyed good bilateral relations since the former attained independence. He welcomed the agreements, noting that they would help improve the lives of citizens of their respective countries.
"My visit to Kenya is aimed at consolidating our relations by refocusing our cooperation to increase bilateral trade. investment, science, technology and defence and security matters.
"It is through the implementation of our MoUs, which have been articulated by my brother (Uhuru) that our economies will be transformed for higher standards of living of our people," he Mnangagwa.
