President Uhuru Kenyatta with South Sudan President Salva Kiir at State House in Juba, South Sudan, when he paid a courtesy call yesterday. [PHOTO: PSCU]

NAIROBI: President Uhuru Kenyatta yesterday urged his South Sudanese counterpart Salva Kiir to implement reforms to consolidate peace in the country.

He spoke in Juba as the first Head of State to visit South Sudan after the recent clashes that led to loss of life.

He urged President Kiir to implement reforms including security arrangements provided for in the comprehensive peace agreement.

The President said his visit, besides focusing on the peace process, was also a show of solidarity with the people of South Sudan.

"We are here to offer the people of South Sudan our support, both moral and material," said Uhuru when he addressed a joint media briefing with President Kiir at State House Juba.

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In response, President Kiir said the Kenyan leader's visit was symbolic as it showed that the regional leadership had not forsaken South Sudan.

"President Uhuru Kenyatta's visit is the first by a Head of State after our crisis and it shows the regional leadership is with us," said the South Sudanese leader.

President Kiir said the country was calm and that the government was running smoothly.