President Trump needs Kenya after all

United States President Donald Trump phoned President Uhuru Kenyatta at around 6:15pm on Tuesday, March 7.

A statement from White House stated the two leaders reaffirmed the strong bilateral relationship between Kenya and the US.

The 30-minute phone call focused on the economic partnership between the two countries and mutual dedication to overcoming terrorism and other regional security challenges through close cooperation.

The two heads of state discussed economic partnership and mutual dedication to overcoming terrorism and other regional security challenges through close cooperation," read the statement.

The discussion also touched on ways to boost bilateral trade and investment in Kenya and the broader East Africa region.

Trump also recognised the sacrifice the Kenyan Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers in the fight against al-Shabaab.

The phone call was the first between the two leaders since Trump took office on January 20 and he was the third president in Africa to speak with Trump.

On February 13, Trump called South Africa President Jacob Zuma and Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari.

This conversation basically goes to show that President Trump thinks highly of Kenya despite the earlier fears that he would abandon Kenya for other East African countries.

The US President clearly sees the need to maintain the cordial relationship that Kenya and the US have always had especially during Former President Barack Obama’s tenure.