Tuesday, July 12, 2023 –President William Ruto and his Iranian counterpart Ibrahim Raisi met at the Statehouse for bilateral agreements despite opposition protests that were staged today across the country.
In the Statehouse statement, the two leaders held bilateral talks where Iranian government agreed to boost Kenya’s pursuits in manufacturing, health and the blue economy through research and technology.
The two leaders, also witnessed the signing of new MoUs and agreements in areas such as Agriculture, culture, heritage, information, ICT, fisheries among many others.
“We also witnessed the signing of new MoUs and agreements in the areas of agriculture, livestock, culture and heritage, information, ICT, fisheries, housing, urban and metropolitan development that will further deepen our bilateral relations for sustainable growth,” stated Ruto following their meeting.
The Kenyan head of State mentioned that Iran intends to set up a giant motor vehicle assembly plant in Mombasa to manufacture the indigenous Iranian vehicle dubbed Kifaru.
Also present in the meeting was Ruto’s deputy Rigathi Gachagua who lauded the two leaders for their love to support each other.
“This morning, I joined H.E President William Ruto in welcoming President Ebrahim Raisi of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Kenya at State House Nairobi,” DP Gachagua stated.
Kenya is keen on enhancing its trade volumes with Iran hence the current working relationship with Tehran to facilitate the export of more tea, meat and other agricultural products to Iran.
With this, President Ruto said it will be easier and faster to have a key entry point to Central Asian countries.
Dr. Ruto was addressing this during the Kenya-Iran Wednesday Media Briefing that took place at the Statehouse, Nairobi.
Others who were present in the meeting were Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Dr. Alfred Mutua as well as Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.