South Sudan President Salva Kiir arrived in Nairobi on Monday for a two-day state visit as both countries seek to strengthen trade ties.
Kiir was received at State House, Nairobi, in an elaborate ceremony that included a 21-gun salute.
The South Sudan President was received by his host, President Uhuru Kenyatta, at the start of his two-day State Visit.
The two leaders held one-on-one talks where they are expected to talk about issues of mutual interest before leading their respective national delegations in bilateral talks.
The talks between President Kenyatta and President Kiir will focus on matters of bilateral and multilateral importance including trade and the ongoing efforts to restore peace and stability in South Sudan.
While addressing the media on 17th June, ahead of Kiir’s visit, Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Monica Juma said Kenya would be seeking to benefit from South Sudan’s wealth as a form of payment for her peacekeeping efforts in the country.
Kenya has played a vital role in helping stabilise South Sudan. Kenya’s Foreign Service has been training South Sudanese officials in diplomatic and other related affairs besides the country’s support in addressing issues related to peace, insecurity, and post-conflict reconstruction.
“Both the Kenyan and South Sudanese teams will be negotiating a number of instruments to govern the relationship between the two countries as far as trade and investment are concerned,” Juma said during a joint Press conference with her Southern Sudanese counterpart, Regional Affairs Minister Nhial Deng Nhial.
Juma said also to be discussed during President Kiir’s visit would be review of security and management of the border between the two countries.
Juma said among other things, they planned to launch the first ever joint commission for cooperation with Juba.
South Sudan remains a strategic partner to Kenya in many areas. For instance, most South Sudanese bank in Kenya and/or in Kenyan owned banks.
Since 2011 when South Sudan became an independent State, its trade with Kenya has continued to grow.
The two governments are also keen on deepening the trade ties and this explains why the Kenya Government through a loan from the World Bank is putting up a road that will link Lamu with Juba thus enabling faster and more convenient movement of goods.
The LAPSSET programme will provide South Sudan with a port as the country seeks an alternative route for its oil and hence promote the country’s access to world markets besides opening investment opportunities.
JK/abj/APA