(PSCU) Swiss Confederation President, Alain Berset was this morning formally received by President Uhuru Kenyatta at State House, Nairobi.
The Swiss leader who arrived in the country yesterday is in Kenya for a two-day official visit.
After his arrival, the two Heads of State joined their respective delegations for bilateral talks focused on a wide array of issues aimed at deepening existing partnerships between the two nations.
Kenya and Switzerland have enjoyed good relations for the last five decades since the European nation became one of the first countries to recognize Kenya as an independent state in 1963.
The two countries have over the years partnered in areas of trade, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, the development of democratic ideals, peace, and humanitarian interventions.
In recent years, Swiss companies especially those in the pharmaceutical sector have shown increased interest in the Kenyan market.
The visit by the Swiss President is further intended to identify other areas of co-operation particularly on President Kenyatta’s Big 4 agenda.
Other areas expected to be highlighted include initiatives by the Swiss Agency for Development and Co-operation (SDC) in supporting the strengthening of water and livestock sectors in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) parts of Kenya.
The plight of the Kakuma Refugee Camp, where the Swiss Head of State is scheduled to visit tomorrow (Tuesday) is also expected to be on the agenda. The SDC has been providing refugees at the camp with livelihood skills under the Swiss Skills for Life pilot project.
After the bilateral talks and luncheon hosted by President Kenyatta and First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, the visiting Head of State is scheduled to tour Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) where he is expected to meet with senior Kenya Government officials.
Aftewards, the Swiss President is scheduled to proceed to the Supreme Court to meet Chief Justice David Maraga and other senior officials of the Judiciary.
The Swiss President is tomorrow expected to tour Kakuma Refugee Camp and the Kalobeyei Integrated Settlement Scheme in Turkana County before returning to Nairobi on his way home.