Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to attend the 68th US National Prayer Breakfast meeting slated for 5th to 6th February 2020 at the invitation of the US Congress.
The theme of prayer breakfast hosted by United States Congress and organized by the Fellowship Foundation in Washington DC is “Reconciliation, Faith and Peace Building”.
The prayer breakfast, which will bring together over 2,000 international guests, will be attended by political and business leaders, the US Congress, members of the diplomatic corps and religious leaders.
Kenyatta and former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga have been invited to speak at the international luncheon that will precede the Prayer Breakfast.
Part of the reason to invite Kenyatta and Odinga to attend the US national prayer breakfast is their demonstrated commitment to peaceful and constructive resolution of internal conflicts in Africa, particularly the example the Government of Kenya has set in deepening democratic values, rule of law and inclusive pro-poor development friendly policies.
The American foreign policy towards Africa has recently shown a positive shift in favour of African countries that have demonstrated strong democratic credentials that project an image of long-term internal stability.
This is considered a critical factor that resonates with the policy of encouraging American companies to increase their investment portfolios in Africa in priority sectors that will generate decent jobs for the youth, reduce poverty and spur economic growth.
Kenya is working closely with the US government in crafting a trading arrangement that guarantees continued market access for Kenya’s products in the US market after the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) comes to an end in 2025.
Under AGOA Kenya enjoys Duty Free Quota Free access to the US market, making US our 3rdlargest export destination.
While in Washington DC, Kenyatta is expected to hold bilateral meetings with senior US government officials and private sector.
During meetings with American business membership groups, Kenyatta will be expected to pitch for Kenya as an ideal business, investment and tourism destination.
The President will also engage with the US congress, Chairmen of Finance, Defense and Foreign Relations Committees.
In August 2018, at a meeting between President Trump and President Kenyatta in Washington DC, a technical working group was established to promote trade and economic relations between Kenya and US.
This will be the 3rd meeting of the technical working group that oscillates between Nairobi and Washington DC.
It is expected that at the end of the technical working group meeting, a joint statement will be issued announcing the commencement of negotiations geared towards a new Kenya-US free trade agreement.
JK/abj/APA