Uhuru Kenyatta third African leader to meet Trump at White House

President Uhuru Kenyatta’s historic visit to the White House makes him the third African leader to hold direct talks with America’s Donald Trump.

Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sissi met Trump in April 2017 while Nigeria’s Muhammadu Buhari held talks with the American leader at the White House in April this year.

Also Read: Trump described Nigeria’s President Buhari as ‘lifeless’ after meeting

The talks between the U.S. and Kenyan leaders are a major boost to President Kenyatta’s Big Four development agenda as well as the renewed war against corruption and economic crimes in the country.

On Monday, President Kenyatta held a bilateral meeting with Trump and invited the US to increase its trade and investments in Africa.

“We have had very strong and excellent cooperation with the US in security and defence, especially in the fight against terrorism. Most important, we are here looking to enhance our partnership in trade and investment,” President Kenyatta said.

Speaking at the Cabinet Office in the White House, Presidents Kenyatta and Trump also agreed to bolster the Kenya-US partnership in peace and security especially in the Horn of Africa region.

President Uhuru Kenyatta holding bilateral talks with US President Donald Trump at the White House.#KenyaUSrelations pic.twitter.com/q2bWeOVMKo

— Victor Mochere (@VictorMochere) August 27, 2018

On his part, President Trump said Kenya and the US will continue to work together to grow their partnership in trade, investments and security.

“We do a lot of tourism, we do a lot of trade and defence. And we working very much in security right now,” President Trump said. The US President added: “We appreciate very much your being with us here.”

The two leaders also discussed the direct flights from Nairobi to New York by Kenya Airways that are set to commence in October and agreed that they will boost tourism and trade for the mutual benefit of the two countries.

Also Read: JKIA gets final audit ahead of U.S direct flights

They cited the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) as one of the main areas that is set to benefit from the direct flights from Nairobi.

Earlier, President Kenyatta and First Lady Margaret Kenyatta were formally received by their hosts President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump when they arrived at the White House at 2.00pm Washington DC time (9.00pm, Nairobi time on Monday).

President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump welcoming President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya and Mrs. Margaret Kenyatta at the White House. pic.twitter.com/rB4DJsj8Sh

— The Voice of America (@VOANews) August 27, 2018

After the official welcome formalities, President Trump ushered President Kenyatta into the Oval Office for one-on-one talks before joining their respective delegations for the bilateral talks in the Cabinet Room.

Similarly, First Ladies Melania Trump and Margaret Kenyatta held separate private talks in the Diplomatic Reception Room in the West Wing of the White House.

Before the White House visit, President Kenyatta earlier met and addressed members of the US Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU) and encouraged them to take advantage of the opportunities created by his Big Four development blueprint by investing more in Kenya.

Rais @UKenyatta leo alishuhudia kutiwa saini kwa mikataba miwili ya kibiashara ambayo itawezesha makampuni mawili ya Marekani kuwekeza katika miradi ya dola milioni 238 nchini. #KenyaUSrelations | @BCIU pic.twitter.com/xnGAE0cMnk

— Kanze Dena (@KanzeDena) August 27, 2018