Kenya, France in 250 million Euros deal

Kenya and France have signed five pacts that will see at least 250 million Euros injected into the Kenyan economy.

The pacts accords an inclusion of the financing of the Last Mile Connectivity Program (120 million Euros), additional funding for roads 2,000 program phase II (15 million), and financing of Meru Wind Farm (60 million Euros) and the financing of Ruiru II Dam and Water Supply project (19 million Euros).

President Uhuru Kenyatta lauded the shared values between Kenya and France and further described France as “a true friend and a partner in our development.”

“We are here to deepen our relations with the French government and French people.  We strongly believe in strengthening people-to-people relations and standing shoulder-to-shoulder with our friends, and this occasion gives us that opportunity,” President Kenyatta said during the bilateral talks.

President Kenyatta also disclosed that his talks with President Francois Hollande entailed covering mutually related issues curbing both states, with security topping the agenda.

“As you know, both France and Kenya have been victims of terrorism – a global problem that Kenya has consistently said requires a global approach in resolving,” President Kenyatta said.

“We have agreed to work together to defeat terrorism. We also committed to ensuring that conflicts do not spread and we are extending our cooperation not only in Somalia but also in South Sudan and Burundi,” President Hollande said.

This then resulted to Kenya and France operating together in combating terrorism by molding a strategic partnership that will boost intelligence allotment and help in the de-radicalisation of youths.

They also conferred upon the partnership provided by the French Development Agency in tackling multi-faceted areas comprising of infrastructure, water and sanitation, energy, micro-finance sector, environment, investments, culture, sport as well as education in teaching of the French language.

The two leaders commended the increase in trade between the two countries but noted the growing gap in favor of France. President Kenyatta declared his confidence that the visit to France will strengthen and breach the gap existing between the two countries

“I proposed that the gap could be addressed in part by Kenya exporting more value-added goods,” President Kenyatta said.

President Kenyatta and President Hollande also agreed on the need to work out measures to grow the number of French tourists visiting Kenya, hence boosting the tourism industry in our country.