President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to meet business executives of leading US companies under the umbrella of the Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU) before holding talks with US President Donald Trump at White House. President Kenyatta, who arrived at Dulles International Airport at 11:00 pm Nairobi time on Saturday was received by a team of senior US and Kenyan government officials. It’s expected that the two leaders will discuss various issues, including regional security, trade and investment and people to people cooperation.
Kenya has a vital part in the matter of regional security and stability, given the role the country plays in the unfolding peace target progress in South Sudan and war against terrorism that includes tackling the Al Shabaab in Somalia. In the issue of trade, the President will be looking to improve trade relations with the Kenya-US direct flights about to be launched. The maiden direct flight from Kenya to New York in October has been highly anticipated, with Kenya Airways expecting the flight to be fully booked. Kenya’s ambassador to the US Robinson Githae, speaking ahead of the meeting between the two Heads of State, said travel agents should support Kenya Airways as this would be a game changer, “As of now, the US has overtaken the UK as our largest source market of tourists,” he said.
The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) will be the highlight in the trade talks, with President Kenyatta seeking to increase export volumes according to Foreign Affairs CS Monica Juma. When announcing President Kenyatta’s visit to the United States, Amb. Juma said even though Kenya is a key beneficiary of AGOA, there are a number of lines that can be improved, “And we hope we can also commence discussions on post-AGOA arrangements,” she said. The President is also expected to discuss his Big Four Agenda, with partnerships across the board vital.