VP holds talks with Nigerian President

By VPPS

Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka on Satruday held talks with Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan. The talks centred mainly on strengthening trade and economic ties between the two regional economic blocs of Ecowas and EAC.

Specifically, Kalonzo said Kenya would benefit immensely from increased trade activities between it and the Nigeria’s 170 million people market.

He thanked the Nigerian Government for allowing direct flights to Abuja by Kenya Airways and her willingness to sign a joint commission for cooperation that will help deepen the bilateral relations between the two nations. They also discussed the regional security issues both in West Africa and the Horn of Africa.

"Nigeria is an economic power in West Africa just like Kenya is a key economic pillar for the East Africa. If these two nations collaborate closely they will help transform regional economic blocs such as EAC, Ecowas and SADC into one powerful single continental market," Kalonzo said.

Kalonzo also joined Jonathan for the second presidential national prayer breakfast. He was called to the podium to commit the Nigerian nation to God in prayer, and he prayed for peace, tranquility and religious tolerance.

　

Economic prosperity

The President himself also led the nation in prayer, asking God to heal Nigeria and guide the country towards more economic prosperity and peaceful co-existence of all the citizens. The service was conducted by several Nigerian leading clerics and was held at the Presidential residence, Asorock, Abuja.

Earlier on, Kalonzo hosted a meeting for Kenyans living and working in West Africa. The Kenyans demanded the right to vote in the upcoming General Election.

Led by Johvine Wanyingo and Joseph Kimanzi, the Kenyans expressed apprehension towards the Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC), saying it may not be able to put the logistics in place in time to enable millions of Kenyans abroad to vote.

"I followed proceedings of a meeting in Boston, US by Kenyans in the Diaspora with Kenya’s Ambassador to the US Elkana Odembo and the same concerns featured prominently," said Mr Wanyingo.

He told the VP that in their meeting in Abuja recently with IEBC Chairman Issack Hassan, they expressed their concerns that not all Kenyans living abroad will be able to afford the cost of traveling to embassies and high commissions to vote.

The VP said the Government will work with IEBC and other stakeholders to address the concerns of Kenyans living abroad over the ability to vote in the coming elections.

The Vice President said the forthcoming elections are critical to the future of the country because it is part of the process of implementing the new Constitution by the electing county Governments.