What Netanyahus African trip means for Kenya

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s four-day visit in Africa kicked off with the first leg of his tour in Uganda, for the commemoration of the 40th year since the dramatic rescue from a hostage situation 100 of its citizens. It is the first time in decades an Israeli leader visits Africa, and the middle-eastern super power is keen on reviving its relationship with African countries.

Forty years ago today, the Israeli government secretly and quietly sent its troops in a dramatic raid at 10pm to the Entebbe Airport in Uganda to rescue its citizens who had been  hijacked on a plane by a terror group. During the famous Entebbe raid, Yonathan Netanyahu, the brother of Israel’s current Prime Minister was killed. And today, Monday, Netanyahu’s plane touched down at the Entebbe International Airport to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the raid, a 21 gun salute awaited him.

His itinerary includes visits to Kenya, Ethiopia and South Africa.

Netanyahu told Citizen TV’s Hussein Mohammed on Sunday Live’s interview that he brings with him a contingent of 70 business and government leaders in a move to create market linkages and explore investment opportunities.

Israel funded the Galana Kulalu irrigation scheme to the tune of 2.8 billion shillings and Kenya will be keen to seek support in desalination of water from the Indian Ocean for areas around the coastal city of Mombasa.

Netanyahu’s four-day Africa tour happens a few months after President Uhuru Kenyatta visited Israel and held bilateral talks that resulted in direct flights between Nairobi and Tel Aviv, as well as a deal to see an increase the number of students studying dry-land farming technologies and automated agriculture.

The historic visit is seen as a move by Israel to reconnect its ties with Africa.