Kenya, Tanzania signs gas pipeline deal
Kenya and Tanzania have signed a deal for a gas pipeline that will run between the coastal cities of Mombasa and Dar-es-Salaam.
The announcement was made by President Uhuru Kenyatta after a closed-door meeting at the State House.
According to Kenyatta, the two countries are ready to improve their relations.
“President Samia Suluhu and I have signed a gas pipeline deal that will improve the lives of people and businesses. The pipeline will help reduce the cost of electric power, Kenyatta said, and will help transition Kenya to environment-friendly energy,” he reiterated.
He cited the need to re-energise the Joint Commission of Cooperation, which both leaders say will play a crucial role in strengthening bilateral ties.
He added that Kenya and the Jubilee government will be at the forefront in working with Suluhu to ensure the East Africa unity and neighbourliness continues to grow.
“We are not only neighbours geographically, but have other elements in common such as culture, language and shared heritage,” Kenyatta said.
He added that there is also a need to improve communication and transport through air, water, road and railway, citing the construction of the Malindi-Lunga Lunga-Bagamoyo road.
On security matter, Kenyatta pressed on the need for the safety of citizens and the countries’ leadership in the fight against terrorism.
Suluhu said she and Kenyatta also agreed to reduce barriers to bilateral trade, in order to grow businesses and investment between the two countries.
On matters of health, she said that Tanzanian and Kenyan health ministers will craft a framework for speedy Covid-19 checks at the borders to avoid crossing delays.
In their fight to boost relations between the two countries, Samia invited Uhuru to Tanzania for the December independence day when the country will celebrate 60 years of independence.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan is on a two-day State Visit to Kenya, and is today scheduled to address a joint sitting of Kenya’s bicameral parliament.
