President Uhuru Kenyatta and South Korean president commit to strengthen ties

South Korean President Park Geun-hye (L) with President Uhuru Kenyatta. Both presidents re-affirmed the importance of the two countries deepening their relations for the benefit of their citizens. (PHOTO: COURTESY)

South Korean president Park Geun-hye yesterday led a high-powered delegation to State House on the second day of her visit to Kenya.

President Uhuru Kenyatta received the visiting Head of State and accorded her a 21-gun salute followed by the inspection of a  ceremonial guard of honour before the two leaders retreated for closed-door talks.
Both presidents re-affirmed the importance of the two countries deepening their relations for the benefit of their citizens.

The two leaders expressed their special attachment taking into account the fact that their parents, Kenya's founding president Jomo Kenyatta and the founder of South Korea's third republic, Park Chun-hee, were friends and were elected in 1963.

And close to four decades later, the offspring of the two presidents are Heads of State in their respective countries, with Park Geun-hye taking the reins of power in Seoul on February 26, 2013 while Kenyatta assumed office as Kenya's fourth president on April 9, 2013.

"Over half a century ago, we established the diplomatic relations with the determination of our forefathers. Presently, our relationship is growing steadily in a very good way," noted the Korean president.

President Kenyatta who was flanked by Deputy President William Ruto, the Cabinet and some legislators, underscored the need for the two countries to continue working together.

He acknowledged the ties the two countries enjoy in the ICT sector, water and sanitation and education. He also stressed that the president's (Geun-hye) visit was personal.