Mutharika, Uhuru hold talks: Kenya leader to visit Malawi

Malawian Presidents Peter Mutharika and President of Kenya,  Uhuru Kenyatta held talks in New York on Thursday.

The two leaders told journalists that they discussed on how they can strengthen the two countries military, trade and diplomatic relations.

“Our discussion centred on strengthening our bilateral relations which date back to the era of the fight for independence. Back then our founding fathers Kamuzu Banda and Jomo Kenyatta shared ideas in the fight against colonialism,” said Mutharika

“We also tackled issues on trade between our two countries. We tried to explore how best we can compliment each other in promoting trade using the existing blocs of SADC, and COMESA.”

Apart from that, the two African leaders also  discussed on security and national defence.

“ We explored on expanding the ties between the Malawi Defence Forces and their Kenyan counterparts.Currently Malawi Defence Forces Senior Officers undergo their training in Kenya and we intend to explore more on this programme,” the Malawi leader said.

Malawi is also seeking technical assistance from Kenya in government reforms.

During the bilateral meeting in New York, the Malawian President also requested Kenya’s support in cooperative development and initiatives such as Huduma centres for effective service delivery.

“We thank you for the support you are giving to other countries, including those in West Africa,” President Mutharika said.

Kenya leads the continent in cooperatives development and President Kenyatta said the Ministry of Agriculture will work closely with its Malawi to facilitate transfer of management skills.

Mutharika said a delegation from Malawi was in Kenya to learn from the Public Procurement Oversight Authority about government contracts and tenders.

He  requested President Kenyatta to open a resident mission in Lilongwe to facilitate cooperation between the two countries.

President Kenyatta said Nairobi  will promote trade and cooperation with Lilongwe in other sectors.

“We will support you in public service reforms and in cooperatives development,” President Kenyatta said.

The bilateral meeting was attended by Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed who is spearheading the mutual plans between Kenya and Malawi at the ministerial level.

Mutharika  said Kenya’s leader will pay Malawi a visit.

“Within the next few weeks, I look forward to welcome my brother Uhuru Kenyatta in Malawi.”

Malawi exports tea and sugar to Kenya.

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