Uhuru, Abe talks focus on health

Japan has committed to support Kenya's quest for Universal Health Coverage.

This was revealed during talks between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Yokohama on the sidelines of the ongoing Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) seventh summit which opened yesterday in Japan. 

Mr Abe said Japan will continue supporting Kenya's ambition to achieve UHC through Public-Private Partnership arrangements.

Japan intends to support Africa's efforts on immunisation, development of health-related infrastructure and services such as water and sewage through the Africa Health and Well-Being Initiative.

Yesterday, Japan pledged to speed up establishment of the Special Economic Zone in Dongo Kundu as well as the construction of the Likoni Gate bridge. 

The two leaders also discussed regional peace and security, sustainable blue economy and the need to address the trade imbalance between the two countries that is currently in favour of Japan.

President Kenyatta thanked Abe for hosting TICAD 6 in Kenya in 2016, saying the conference helped raise the country’s profile as an investment destination of choice in Africa.

Uhuru noted in the past three years, the number of Japanese companies setting shop in Kenya rose from 41 to 57.

The leaders also discussed ongoing United Nations reforms with President Kenyatta asking Japan to support Kenya's bid to win a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

More than 27 African heads of state and country representatives are in Japan for the TICAD summit.

Uhuru and Abe held the private talks at the Intercontinental Yokohama Grand Hotel in Yokohama which is hosting the conference, shortly after Abe officially opened the summit.

Other leaders who held talks with Abe include Egypt's President Abdelfattah El-Sisi, Guinea President Alpha Conde and Senegal President Macky Sall.