Kenya to strengthen ties with Britain

Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta meets leaders of the Central Organisation of Trade Union (COTU) during celebrations to mark Labour Day in the capital Nairobi May 1, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

NAIROBI - Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has reaffirmed his government's commitment to furthering ties with Britain in the development process.

A statement issued on Wednesday from the Presidency said Kenyatta made the overture in talks with British High Commissioner to Kenya Christian Turner, who paid him a courtesy call.

The Kenyan president hailed the strong ties existing between Kenya and Britain, saying he looks forward to deepening the relations for the mutual benefit of the two countries.

"The President said his government is open and willing to work with other countries on the basis of mutual respect and within the principle of reciprocity," said the statement which was issued after the talks.

President Kenyatta cited tourism, infrastructure development and security as some of the key areas of cooperation between the two countries.

The 51-year-old Kenyatta, who was inaugurated on April 9, said London is the leading source of tourists to the East African country, underlining the commitment of his government to expanding tourism by marketing Kenya not only as an eco-tourism attraction, but a commercial destination of choice.

Kenyatta said he looks forward to continued support from Britain in many areas of national endeavor, especially in mobilizing resources internationally to finance development programs.

He vowed to  work closely with London and other countries in the Somali peace process within the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) framework.

Turner said Kenya and Britain enjoy a special relationship, the depth of which is reflected by statistics on trade between the two countries, the number of tourists and the level of development assistance.

The British envoy said London will continue to support Kenya's development endeavors towards achieving a double digit economic growth pledged by the government.

The envoy said the British investment would double investment in Kenya within the next four years, while pledging support to infrastructure development and the transformation of Nairobi into the East African capital of financial services.

The high commissioner also assured the president that Britain will continue to work with IGAD and other stakeholders in the Somali peace process and looked forward to a positive outcome in the forthcoming Somalia conference in London.