BULAWAYO – Kenya’s President William Ruto has delayed a state visit to Zimbabwe after flying to Tanzania to attend the 60th anniversary of the union of mainland Tanzania and the island of Zanzibar.
Ruto was due to officially open the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) on Friday, and his delayed arrival has forced organisers to change the official opening to Saturday – the final day of the trade exhibition when got underway on Tuesday.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa arrived in Bulawayo on Thursday and will now just tour exhibition stands on Friday instead.
Kenya’s presidency said Ruto will “emphasise the significance of international trade fairs and forums as catalysts for economic development, industria growth, global linkages and job creation.”
“The visit elevates the existing strong bilateral relations between the two countries by upgrading the current Joint permanent Commission for Cooperation at the ministerial level to a Bi-National Commission at the heads of state level,” said Hussein Mohamed, Kenya’s State House spokesman.
Zimbabwe and Kenya will also sign seven bilateral cooperation instruments in health, defence, investment, education, transport and capacity building in public service during Ruto’s two-day state visit, Mohamed said.
He added: “In talks with President Mnangagwa, President Ruto will express the need for closer air connectivity between the two countries in the spirit of the African Continental Free Trade AREA (AfCFTA) and the Tripartite Alliance Free Trade Area.
“The president will also share Kenya’s perspective on climate action and the urgent need for UN Security Council reforms that respond to the current global realities.”
