Burundi’s Ndayishimiye in Kisumu for national event

Burundi President Evariste Ndayishimiye, and his wife Angeline Ndayishimiye jetted into Kisumu town yesterday ahead of today’s Madaraka Day celebrations.

The President and the First Lady landed at the Kisumu International Airport on a Kenya Airways flight from Bujumbura and headed straight to the Kisumu State Lodge where they were received by their hosts; President Uhuru Kenyatta and First Lady Margaret Kenyatta.

Uhuru thanked President Ndayishimiye for honouring the invitation to grace the fete, terming the visit historic. 

“You have made history because you are the first President to be here (Kisumu) for an official State visit,” said the Head of State.

The two leaders held bilateral talks where they reaffirmed their commitment to deepen the relationship between the two countries.

United community

“We want to have a united and vibrant East African Community as well as an integrated and prosperous Africa. That is why we are coming together as two nations,” President Uhuru said.

The two leaders agreed to renew the joint permanent commission for cooperation between the two nations signed in 2008.

“We have instructed the two ministers to meet and agree on how to renew the agreement that had been signed previously,” President Uhuru said.

The two Heads of State announced that they had signed several agreements in various fields including agriculture, sports, public service, culture and foreign affairs among other sectors.

On his part, President Ndayishimiye said Burundi was committed to improving the livelihoods of Burundians and Kenyans through mutual cooperation.

“We are committed to improving the well-being of our people. That is why this visit and the meeting we had is important to me and my delegation”.

He added: “We are aiming at increasing trade between our two countries and finding ways and means that will make our businessmen operate with ease.”

They later visited Kisumu Inland Port to officially commission MV Uhuru that roared back to life after stalling for over a decade. During the launch, President Uhuru took issue with a section of politicians, who were faulting his move to transfer the Kenya Meat Commission (KMC) to the Ministry of Defence through an Executive order eight months ago.

“Let them make noise but I am satisfied with what the Kenya Army is doing. Those people will not stop my agenda,” Uhuru said.

Ambitioua plan

KDF was tasked with the restoration of infrastructure and developing an ambitious business plan for the commission.

The Senate, however, opposed the move, saying there was no public participation undertaken before the decision was arrived at.

The scheduled launch of the Nakuru- Kisumu metre gauge railway and the ground breaking of the Lake Victoria Basin commission headquarters were, however, cancelled last minute.