President Kenyatta while speaking at State House, Nairobi said South Korea’s relationship with the country began immediately after Kenya gained independence in the 1960s/PSCU
NAIROBI, Kenya, May 31 – President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday held talks with his South Korean counterpart Park Geun-hye who is in Kenya for a three-day State visit.
President Kenyatta while speaking at State House, Nairobi said South Korea’s relationship with the country began immediately after Kenya gained independence in the 1960s.
“Your visit is significant as it also gives us the opportunity to reflect on prospects of our deep engagement between the two countries. Kenya and Korea established diplomatic relationship all the way back in 1964,” he explained.
Apart from the diplomatic relations that the two countries enjoy, President Kenyatta said the visit by Park was also phenomenal since when her father was leader of South Korea, he visited Uhuru’s father Mzee Jomo Kenyatta when he was also Kenya’s President.
“This visit is also very significant to me personally as a result of the close relationship between the late President Park and my father Jomo Kenyatta,” he recalled.
According to President Kenyatta and President Park, their two countries have enjoyed business ties and cooperation in education, Information and Communication Technology, water and sanitisation sectors.
President Kenyatta said the visit was also a continuation of the growing strong relations that will expand shared benefits between South Korea and Kenya.
On her part, Park who was accorded full military honours that included a 21-gun salute, said she admired Kenya’s levels of civilization and good mutual relations.
“The last time the President of Korea visited Kenya was 34 years ago. This is my first visit to Kenya and it is very emotional,” she stated.
Over the years, since Kenya and Korea started working together, she said, the two countries have continued to better their relations which she said she believed will continue to blossom in various areas of cooperation.
President Park arrived on Monday night to start her three days-visit expected to further mutual and bilateral engagements between the two countries.
During Tuesday’s meeting, various Cabinet Secretaries, Members of Parliament and the Senate including the Attorney General Githu Muigai met with the Korean delegation to discuss bilateral agreements.
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