The President of the United States of America (POTUS), Donald Trump engaged Kenya Head of State, Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday.
According to the White House statement, POTUS leader sought to “reaffirm the strong bilateral relationship between our two countries.”
The White house statement further noted that the telephone conversation also focused on “economic partnership and mutual dedication to overcoming terrorism and other regional security challenges through close cooperation.”
“President Trump expressed appreciation for Kenya’s significant contributions to the African Union Mission in Somalia and recognized Kenyan troops’ sacrifices in the fight against Al-Shabaab,” the statement said.
However, political pundits believes that the Tuesday’s phone call affirms the suggestions that Mr Trump values Kenya less than other regional powers in Africa after Kenya was missing in the first list of African countries phone call.
Tuesday’s discussion touched on “ways to boost bilateral trade and investment in Kenya and the broader East Africa region,” the statement said.
Trump also expressed appreciation for Kenya’s significant contributions to the African Union Mission in Somalia and recognized sacrifices by Kenyan troops in the fight against the Al-Shabaab.
“The two leaders discussed our economic partnership and mutual dedication to overcoming terrorism and other regional security challenges through close cooperation,” the statement stated.
The two Heads of State further discussed ways to boost investment in Kenya and the broader East Africa region.
President Kenyatta was the third leader in Africa to speak with Trump. Last month, Trump called Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and South Africa President Jacob Zuma.
He discussed a possible new arms deal to help the West African nation fight terrorism, especially in the fight against Boko Haram. The unrest has killed thousands and displaced more than two million people.