Nigerian President Buhari to join Kenyatta in praying for fallen soldiers

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari will land in Eldoret on Wednesday in his first official visit to Kenya since winning the presidency in April last year.

Upon arrival, the Nigerian President will be received by his host President Uhuru Kenyatta at the Eldoret International Airport where he will be accorded a 21-gun salute, according to State House spokesperson Manoah Esipisu.

The two Presidents will then proceed to the 9th Kenya Rifles, Moi Barracks, Eldoret where they will be joined by Somalia’s Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud for a special inter-denominational service to celebrate the lives of Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers fallen in Somalia.

Reports indicate that most of the soldiers killed in Al Shabaab attack at El Adde in Somalia were from the Moi Barracks.

Buhari and Somalia’s President Mohamoud are among the Heads of State who condoled with Kenya after the attack on KDF camp in El Adde.

On Thursday, President Kenyatta and President Buhari will hold private talks, before a bilateral meeting at State House in Nairobi.

Last year, Kenya and Nigeria formed a Joint Commission for Cooperation which created a framework for enhancing bilateral cooperation in trade, tourism, education, energy, agriculture and technical cooperation.

“Kenya and Nigeria have exchanged high level visits: we welcomed former President Goodluck Jonathan to Kenya in September, 2013 and Nigeria reciprocated by hosting President Kenyatta in May, 2014,” said Esipisu.

“During these visits, a number of Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding were signed to ensure cooperation in agriculture, tourism, oil and gas, immigration and trade.”

The trade relations, Esipisu said, have led to the establishment of a number of Nigerian companies in Kenya including the GZ Industries, which has invested in a can-manufacturing facility in Kenya, and the Dangote Group, which is in the process of setting up a cement factory in Kitui.

Others companies include Guaranty Trust Bank, United Bank of Africa and Eco-Bank.

“The growth of business between Kenya and Nigeria has enable Kenya Airways to operate six flights per week to Lagos and three flights a week to Abuja,” said Esipisu.

@benjaminwafula