Sunday, June 26, 2016
State House Spokesperson Manoah Esipisu during a press briefing on President Uhuru Kenyatta's foreign engagements for the month of July.Photo/PSCU
By WILLIAM MWANGI @memwarwilliams
President Uhuru Kenyatta has said the country will support Britain's decision to leave the European Union.
"Regardless of what outcome any world leader envisioned or supported, the people of the United Kingdom spoke and made their voice heard. Kenya, will, of course, maintain its historic ties with Britain, while continuing to engage a stable European Union," a statement read by statehouse spokesperson Manoah Esipisu said.
Uhuru further assured there would be no immediate repercussions and said the bilateral talks between the two nations will continue undeterred.
"The immediate repercussions for Kenya are limited. However, with the exit, there will be a need for both Kenya and the East African community to negotiate separate trade agreements with the United Kingdom. Our current engagements are within the framework of the EPAs with the EU."
He said the ministry of foreign affairs is engaged in analyzing and putting in place measures that ensure we as a nation are not adversely affected.
"Central Bank Governor Dr. Patrick Njoroge has already addressed matters related to our currency. Indeed, Britain is a primary trade and development partner for us, as is the European Union."
Meanwhile, PresidentUhuru is set to leave for a three–day State Visit to Botswana where President Ian Khama will host him.
The two Heads of State will discuss a number of issues of bilateral and regional significance.
These include the Tripartite Free Trade agreement, which the President hopes will be ratified by all involved states soon; trade and economic ties with the southern African country, industry, and manufacturing, mining and tourism.
During the visit, the two heads of state will address the 2nd Botswana–Kenya Business Seminar, which aims to exploit existing trade potential between the two countries. President Kenyatta will address the Kenyan diaspora in Botswana before returning to Nairobi.
On returning from Botswana, President Kenyatta will begin a month of frenetic activity when he hosts the Prime Minister of the State of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, who will make a three–day State Visit to Kenya starting July 4.
Soon after this visit, President Kenyatta will host India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 10-11.
This will be part of the Indian Prime Minister’s four-nation tour of Africa that will also take him to South Africa, Mozambique and our neighbor Tanzania.