Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i has today arrived in Zambia to meet the newly-elected Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema.
According to Government spokesperson Cyrus Oguna, Matiang’i delivered a special message from President Uhuru Kenyatta to Hichilema to support Kenya’s candidate for the post of the Secretary General for the Commonwealth of Nations.
Defence Cabinet Secretary Dr. Monica Juma was nominated by Kenyatta for the post of Commonwealth Secretary General.
“Today in Lusaka, Dr Matiang’i who also chairs the National Development
Implementation and Communication Cabinet Committee (NDICCC), also conveyed
Kenya’s quest for a new and enriched bilateral deal with the Zambian leadership,” stated the statement.
Commonwealth brings together the United Kingdom and 53 countries
that were formerly British colonies.
Besides the UK, notable members of the Commonwealth are Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Nigeria, India, Malaysia, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania among others.
If successful, Juma, a career diplomat, will take charge of the Secretariat for the
Commonwealth that has over the years evolved into an important trading block for
member countries.
The Commonwealth members enjoy military, education, governance, sports, cultural and geopolitical cooperation pacts intended to strengthen the organisation bonds.
Juma would become the 7th secretary general and will be taking over from the
British-Dominican diplomat Patricia Janet Scotland whose first term was set to
lapse last year.
“Elections for the post were however deferred to this year after heads of governments whose vote determine the office occupant were unable to meet due
to the Covid pandemic,” read part of the statement.
Kenya and Zambia enjoy a history of mutual trading relations going back to preindependence.
While Kenya exports pharmaceutical products, edible oils, tobacco, fuel and fuel products to Zambia, it imports copper, sugar and cereals from the
Central African country.
Both countries are members of the Common Market for Eastern and Sothern Africa (COMESA) that promotes regional trade.
Kenyatta was among the dignitaries who witnessed Hichilema’s swearing in last month at a ceremony held at the Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.
“Through Matiangi, Kenyatta invited his Zambian counterpart to visit Kenya at his convenience,” stated the statement.