Japan’s Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, who is scheduled to visit Kenya on Friday to grace the TICAD VI conference will receive 19-gun salute on his arrival at the statehouse.
This is according to State House Spokesperson Manoah Esipisu, who noted that the Prime Minister will be greeted with a 19-gun salute and a Guard of Honour when he starts his first State visit to Kenya.
Episisu added that the Prime Minister and President Kenyatta will then turn to Kenya-Japan relations at meetings on Sunday evening at State House in Nairobi, after attending to TICAD matters. Prime Minister Abe will be accompanied by a large delegation of Japanese businesspeople.
“We acknowledge with appreciation that Japan is Kenya’s leading development partner in Sub-Saharan Africa,” said Manoah Esipisu
Mr Esipisu added that Japan’s contribution to key priority areas such as economic infrastructure, agriculture, health, education and environment cannot go unmentioned.
“As the gateway and hub for East and Central Africa, Kenya occupies a very special position in Japan’s diplomatic and economic engagement within the region,” said Mr Esipisu.
Kenya hosts one of the largest Japanese communities in Africa, and the country is also the Regional Headquarters for agencies like Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) and Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) as well as its largest businesses.
Currently, there are approximately 50 Japanese companies operating in Kenya, and there are positive indications that the number will grow, Esipisu added.
Over the years, notable major projects have been implemented through Japanese assistance including: Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology (JKUAT), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Mombasa Airport Improvement Project, New Nyali Bridge, Mtwapa and Kilifi Bridges, Rehabilitation of Athi and Ikutha Bridges, Kapsabet Water Supply, Sondu Miriu Hydropower Project and Improvement of Facilities in Kericho, Kisii District Hospitals.
Mr Esipisu said President Kenyatta will hold a news conference accompanied by Prime Minister Abe and the President of Chad, current chair of the African Union, on Friday at State House to speak to matters of TICAD.
“Next Sunday, President Kenyatta and Prime Minister Abe will address a news briefing on Kenya-Japan relations. That event will follow bilateral here talks at State House,” he noted.