Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Thursday, January 12 met United Kingdom’s High Commissioner to Kenya Jane Marriot in his Harambee House Annex.

In a statement, the DP said the two discussed areas of cooperation to strengthen security and address development challenges in Kenya’s North Eastern region and its borderlands.

“I have this morning hosted the UK High Commissioner to Kenya H.E. Jane Marriott in my office at Harambee Annex, Nairobi.

“We have discussed broader matters on cordial relations Kenya and UK have enjoyed over years and to further strengthen our relations and ties.

“Particularly, we laid more emphasis on cooperation to strengthen security and address development challenges in Kenya’s North Eastern Region and its borderlands,” he said.

Gachagua, Marriot on devolution

The two also discussed devolution which the DP said has reduced poverty level in the country.

“We singled out devolution as a catalyst to improving the delivery of basic services and reduction of poverty levels not only in Northern Kenya but also the entire nation.

“We will continue engaging with the UK High Commission in Kenya, our development partners, the Private Sector, and all our friends on initiatives that accord priority to unlock the potential of the North Eastern region, promoting peace and security, supporting education and opportunities for the youth, rally an inclusive socio-economic development, infrastructure and development and other crosscutting priority areas like climate change and emergencies, women empowerment among others,” he said.

He added: “The Kenya Kwanza Administration under the leadership of H.E. President William Samoei Ruto remains committed to making devolution work while improving coordination and partnership for delivery of our Plan.

“Kenya and the UK high Commission enjoy shared values, history, and culture that build stronger ties between our two peoples.”

Gachagua’s meeting with Marriot came a day after the UK envoy met Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition leader Raila Odinga on Wednesday, January 11.

“This afternoon, we were hosted by Jane Marriott, the British High Commissioner to Kenya. We discussed the situation in the country, potential areas of collaboration, and agreed to consult on a regular basis to discuss matters of national and mutual interest,” Raila said in a statement.