President Uhuru calls on international community to remove illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe 

President Uhuru Kenyatta has vowed to lead global efforts that will seek an end to “illegal” sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by Western nations. 

Speaking at State House Nairobi after he hosted Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Kenyatta termed the long-running crippling sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the international community as “unfair” stating that they have caused problems for the country. 

“We have continued to emphasise our strong determination to continue with our support of Zimbabwe against the illegal sanctions that have been imposed on that country and continue to cause undue problems, issues and trouble for the people of Zimbabwe,” he said. 

“We consider this to be unfair for these hardships are artificially created and we continue to call on the international community to remove these illegal sanctions,” he added. 

United States, Britain and the European Union imposed economic sanctions on Zimbabwe in 2003 following rights abuses and election rigging by the then autocratic regime of deposed President Robert Mugabe under the governing ZANU-PF. 

On his part, Mnangagwa thanked Kenyatta for his support and call for the removal of sanctions that have plagued the country since 2003. 

“I thank Kenya for the support of solidarity for Zimbabwe in the call for the unconditional removal of unilateral sanctions that were imposed on Zimbabwe by some western countries,” he said. 

He hailed Kenya for recognising the Shona community, a Bantu ethnic group native to Zimbabwe who were granted citizen status in 2021. 

The two countries signed seven MOUs which will deepening diplomatic and economic ties between the two countries. 

The seven MOUs signed are; Political and Diplomatic Consultations, Co-operation in the Field of Tourism and Wildlife Conservation, Co-operation in the Field of Civil Aircraft Accidents and Serious Incidents Investigations, Co-operation in the Promotion of Women Empowerment and Community Development, Co-operation in the Field of Youth Affairs, Promotion of Cooperatives and Cooperation in the Field of Sport and Recreation. 

Mnangagwa arrived in Nairobi yesterday for a three-day State Visit at the invitation of his host. 

CAPTION; President Uhuru Kenyatta receiving his visiting Republic of Zimbabwe counterpart, His Excellency Emmerson Mnangagwa at State House, Nairobi on February 9, 2022. 

By Ignatius Ouma