Oct 1, 2020(Nyamilepedia) — Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta kicked off his official visit to France on Wednesday evening at Elysee Palace where he was received by his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron where they witnessed the signing of three bilateral agreements.
Upon arrival at the Elysee Palace, French president’s official residence, Kenyatta inspected a guard of honour mounted by the French military at the start of an elaborate State reception ceremony.
The two presidents witnessed the signing of three bilateral agreements before leading their delegations at a State Banquet hosted in honour of the visiting Kenyan leader.
The two heads of states later retreated for private talks.
One of the agreement signed is the public private partnership (PPP) for the construction of the Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit highway signed between KeNHA and Vinci Concessions.Â
It is one of the largest PPP projects in Eastern Africa.
Others were agreements for the development of the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) commuter railway line and the 400KV Menengai-Rongai electricity transmission line.
The Kenyan ambassador to France Prof Wakhungu said the Nairobi CBD to JKIA commuter rail link will help enhance movement of travellers between the city centre and Kenya’s foremost international airport.
“Our aspiration is to see that this commuter railway line eases traffic in Nairobi but also eases the movement of people within Nairobi. We hope that along the route and the surrounding areas, other businesses will be able to grow,” Prof Wakhungu said.
The ambassador added that the Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit six-lane dual carriageway, the ambassador said the mega project will ease traffic on that route.
“We hope that extending this highway which is going to be about 200km, again, it will ease traffic on that particular very, very important route. I need not remind Kenyans that this is a major highway that connects Mombasa, Nairobi and all the way to Uganda, Rwanda and other parts of Central Africa,” Prof Wakhungu said.
In an interview, Kenya’s ambassador to France Professor Judi Wakhungu said the Head of State’s visit is a continuation of the historical bilateral ties that have existed between Kenya and France for over half a century.
