Jamaica pens pact with Kenya

President Uhuru Kenyatta and Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness witness the signing of agreements at the Jamaican Prime Minister's Office in Kingston, Jamaica. [PSCU]

Kenya and Jamaica have signed four cooperation agreements to enhance trade and people-to-people ties.

President Uhuru Kenyatta, who is in Kingston, Jamaica to attend the 57th Jamaica Independence Day as chief guest, has underscored the need for the enhanced ties.

At the start of the historic State visit, Uhuru and Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness on Monday afternoon witnessed the signing of the agreements aimed at boosting the relationship between the two nations.

The deals signed include those on technical cooperation in tourism and in the fields of sports, culture and heritage, as well as a framework of cooperation between the two governments and an MoU on political consultations.

“Kenya is one of the largest and most diversified economies on the African continent,” said Uhuru.

The PM and Uhuru attested that Kenya and Jamaica had strong ties from the days of Marcus Garvey, whose teachings of African unity had a strong impact on Kenya’s push for independence.

“It is well documented that our first national hero, the Right Excellent Marcus Mosiah Garvey, had significant influence on Jomo Kenyatta, the first Prime Minister of Kenya and later its first President,” recalled PM Holness.