Build on Modi visit to strengthen ties with India

Kenya will host India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi from today with expectations that the two countries will strengthen economic and cultural ties. They will also firm up new bilateral agreements to serve their mutual interests. Modi’s visit will be significant in many fronts and will build on the historic ties of the two countries that have been intricately intertwined since 22,000 Indian coolies travelled to Kenya to build the metre gauge railway line from 1896. Most of these coolies settled in the then British protectorate establishing businesses, some which still have a presence in Kenya today.

The historic ties have positioned India as one of Kenya’s biggest trading partners thats export steel, pharmaceuticals and machinery, then imports tea and soda ash. There are currently more than 40 companies incorporated in India that operate in Kenya and bring to the domestic economy about Sh350 billion.