President Kenyatta with Senators Kristen Gillibrand and Christopher Coons after holding talks at State House, Nairobi/PSCU
The delegation headed by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (New York) met the President at State House, Nairobi, where they discussed the war against terror, regional security, trade and investment issues.
The five-member team from Capitol Hill is on a three-day visit to understand Kenya’s security situation, the evolving war against terror, Kenya’s pivotal role in ensuring regional security, as well as to discuss matters of mutual interest, focusing on the long-standing bilateral relations.
President Kenyatta briefed the US legislators on the war against terror, the role of the Kenya Defence Forces in Somalia within the context of the AU Mission (AMISOM) and strategies in dealing with radicalisation.
“This is a global war that requires a global approach. We are working very closely with our partners, including the United States, in tackling terrorism in the region and beyond,” President Kenyatta said.
President Kenyatta also briefed the delegation on efforts to deal with and stop terror financing.
Also on the agenda was the need for capacity building for Kenyan security agencies in the war against terror, an area where the United States is keen in supporting Kenya.
Senator Gillibrand said the delegation, which leaves the country tomorrow, looks forward to the official visit to Kenya in July by US President Barack Obama. President Obama will hold bilateral talks with President Kenyatta as well as attend the Global Entrepreneurship Summit being held in sub-Saharan Africa for the first time.
Senator Gillibrand said the visit will deepen the traditional relations between Kenya and the United States.
“We want to understand what you would like us to do to help Kenya deal with the emerging challenges, including fighting terrorism,” Senator Gillibrand said.
“The US Government is very appreciative of Kenya’s efforts, including its role in Somalia,” she added.
Other US legislators who attended the meeting were Senator Christopher Coons (Delaware), Senator Tammy Baldwin (Wisconsin), Senator Gary Peters (Michigan); Representative Susan Davis (California) and Representative Kathleen Rice (New York). US Ambassador to Kenya, Robert F Godec, also attend the event.
Cabinet Secretaries Retired Major-General Joseph Nkaissery (Interior), Ambassador Amina Mohamed (Foreign Affairs) and Ambassador Raychelle Omamo; Chief of Defence Forces General Julius Karangi, and Chief of Staff Joseph Kinyua also attended the meeting.
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