First Visit by Kenyan President to Israel in 2 Decades

President Kenyatta arrived in Israel for a three day visit which will focus on the development of the cooperation between the two countries, and especially on the war against Islamic terrorism. 

Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta arrived on Monday in Israel for a three-day state visit, the first such visit by a Kenyan president to the Jewish State since 1994.

During his visit, Kenyatta will meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Reuven Rivlin and senior government officials, and will visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem.

He will also attend a forum on the economy, and visit key showcase projects, including on industry and agriculture.

“Kenya holds Israel as a friend,” the president’s spokesman Manoah Esipisu said before Kenyatta left for Israel. “That friendship is not only borne out of a long history of fraternal relations, but is also manifested in real and concrete cooperation in a number of important fields.”

Kenya has benefited from the Israeli government through the country’s Agency for International Development Cooperation (MASHAV).

Sectors that have benefited from the cooperation include agriculture, health, water and sanitation, education, disaster management and security, Kenya’s Daily Nation reported.

Kenyatta and Netanyahu are expected to discuss how the two countries can cooperate in the fight against Islamic terrorism in wake of terrorist attacks carried out in Kenya by the Islamic State (ISIS) affiliated Al-Shabab terror organization.

“Israel’s support for the training of Kenyan security personnel and technical support to our security services is much appreciated,” Esipisu said. “Kenya, like Israel, is faced by numerous security challenges which require attention and resources to confront,” which they hope to acquire and learn from Israel.

The Jerusalem Post reports that Israel will work to have Kenya change its voting pattern on Israel at the United Nations and to enlist its help in getting the African Union to grant Israel observer status.

After his visit to Israel, Kenyatta will travel to Tanzania to attend the 17th Summit of East African Community Heads of State.

By: United with Israel Staff

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