Uhuru meets Kabila, roots for peace

President Uhuru Kenyatta receives President Joseph Kabila of Democratic Republic Congo who paid him a courtesy call at State House, Nairobi.

By PPS
Nairobi, Kenya: President Uhuru Kenyatta  marked his second day in office as he hosted visiting President Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of Congo and  expressed the need to bolster regional peace efforts.

Uhuru said Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo will work together to bolster peace in the region.

President Kenyatta emphasised that the region could not realize its development endeavours, including increased trade and investment in the absence of peace and stability.

Uhuru was speaking on Wednesday at State House Nairobi during a meeting with  Kabila who paid him a courtesy call.

Thanking President Kabila for his show of solidarity by attending yesterday’s inauguration, President Kenyatta said Kenya’s future is tied to its cooperation with its regional and continental partners.

Kenyatta reaffirmed his Government’s commitment to strengthening ties with its partners.

President Kabila said although his country is not Kenya’s immediate neighbour, the two countries share a lot in common.

Noting that there is a lot of business contact between Kenya and DRC, President Kabila stressed the need to facilitate further engagement for the benefit of the people of the two countries.

Echoing President Kenyatta’s sentiments on peace, President Kabila said peace and stability have been his priority in the last 10 years.

He appreciated the Kenyan Government’s role in stabilising North and South Kivu.

President Kenyatta and President Kabila underlined the need to establish consulates on reciprocal basis, in Goma and Mombasa, in order to facilitate provision of consul service in the two countries.

On his part, Deputy President William Ruto stressed the need to establish a Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC) between Kenya and DRC to strengthen the existing ties.

Deputy President Ruto said the JCC would provide the framework that would coordinate cooperation between the two countries.

Present during the meeting were immediate former Foreign Affairs Minister Prof Sam Ongeri and his Cooperative Development counterpart Joseph Nyaga, the Head of Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet Francis Kimemia and Internal Security Permanent Secretary Mutea Iringo among others.