Uhuru phones UK premier May, discusses key issues

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday called United Kingdom Prime Minister Theresa May to congratulate her on her appointment into office.

While congratulating her, he reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment in its relationship with the UK, which he said is based on shared values and common interests.

The two countries have close ties on trade and investment, defence and counter-terrorism.

In a statement sent to newsrooms, the British High Commission in Nairobi said a spokesperson for the UK’s No 10 Downing Street said: “President Kenyatta of Kenya called the Prime Minister today to congratulate her on her appointment.

“He told her that Kenya greatly values its relationship with the UK, which is based on shared values and common interests”.

“She welcomed Kenya’s recent ratification of the Defence Cooperation Agreement, which is an important element of our partnership, and provides a platform for future collaboration,”

“The Prime Minister underlined Britain’s commitment to continuing to build on our ties in a number of important areas such as trade and investment, defence and counter-terrorism,” the statement read.

MEETING SOON

They ended the call by looking forward to meeting at the earliest opportunity.

British forces have trained in Nanyuki Town and Samburu County since independence, based on memorandums of agreement that were renewed periodically.

Last year, Kenya signed a new pact after it demanded better terms in the arrangement for cooperation with the UK on the development of security and defence policies, training of soldiers, military exercises and exchange visits.

The agreement states that the British would pay Sh132 million over the five years of the agreement to use facilities at the Laikipia Air Base, Nanyuki and Kahawa Garrison, Nairobi.