President Kenyatta congratulates new Botswana president

President Uhuru Kenyatta has congratulated incoming President Mokgweetsi Masisi following his assumption of office as the President of the Republic of Botswana.

“Indeed, this is an indication of the high regard and confidence the people of Botswana have in your able leadership,” President Kenyatta said in a congratulatory message to President Masisi, Botswana’s fifth.

President Kenyatta said Kenya and Botswana enjoy close historical ties which have remained warm and cordial.

“I recall my State visit to your beautiful country in 2016, during which we held fruitful discussions on our bilateral relations and varied matters of common interest. It is my desire that you consider making a reciprocal visit to Kenya in the near future and look forward to receiving you at a mutually convenient time,” the Commander-In-Chief said in the congratulatory message to President Masisi.

He expressed confidence that the recently launched Joint Permanent Commission for Cooperation (JPCC) will greatly consolidate the relationship between the two countries by deepening the existing socio-economic relations for the benefit of the people of Kenya and Botswana.

“I note with satisfaction, that our two countries have ushered a more dynamic interaction buttressed by the recent launch of the JPCC, and by several High-Level State and Official visits,” President Kenyatta said.

President Kenyatta assured President Masisi of full support and cooperation in his national endeavours as well as in the collective efforts in promoting the interests of the African continent envisioned in Africa Union Agenda 2063.

President Kenyatta has also congratulated outgoing President Seretse Khama Ian Khama for a smooth transfer of power, and for working to deepen democracy in Botswana.

“I acknowledge with sincere appreciation your message of goodwill at the end of your tenure in office as the President of the Republic of Botswana,” President Kenyatta said in a congratulatory message to the outgoing President, Botswana’s fourth.

President Kenyatta observed that during President Khama’s tenure, Kenya and Botswana saw unprecedented levels of bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

“Allow me to take this opportunity to sincerely thank you, and the Government of Botswana, for being an astute leader as well as a dependable catalyst in revitalising Kenya-Botswana relations,” President Kenyatta said.

Kenya and Botswana have registered progress in their joint implementation of bilateral, regional, and continental decisions, President Kenyatta pointed out.

“It remains my desire to strengthen these ties. In this regard, I look forward to working even more closely with your successor for the betterment and prosperity of our continent and its peoples”, President Kenyatta said in his message to President Khama.

The Kenyan Head of State reiterated his commitment to mutually beneficial relations and cooperation between Kenya and Botswana.