President William Ruto has sent a message to the new British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, congratulating him on the Labour Party’s general election victory.

In the message on his X account, Ruto commended Starmer on his party’s landslide victory and his appointment as Prime Minister, describing it as a testimony to a deep yearning for progressive politics by the people of the United Kingdom.

“On behalf of the government and the people of Kenya, I wish to convey my utmost congratulations to Sir Keir Starmer on the overwhelming support garnered by the Labour Party at the just concluded elections and his subsequent appointment as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

“His election is testimony to the deep yearning of the citizens of the United Kingdom for progressive politics and policies embodied by the Labour Party,” Ruto remarked in his statement.

Kenya – UK relations

Ruto also reiterated Kenya’s commitment to fostering its bilateral relations with the United Kingdom, highlighting the commercial, defence and political fronts as main areas of cooperation.

“I stand ready to work with Prime Minister Starmer to foster our bilateral commercial, defence and political cooperation while contributing together towards building a safer, equitable and sustainable global future.” Ruto continued.

Britain’s Labour Party ascended to power on Friday after more than a decade in opposition, as the party recorded a landslide victory, winning 412 seats to the Conservatives’ 112 in the House of Commons.

Kenya and Britain have continued to enjoy close relations in diplomacy, trade and investment, and tourism and wildlife conservation, maintaining their positions as strategic partners more than six decades after Kenya got its independence from the European power.

The UK is the largest European foreign investor in Kenya with about 100 British investment companies valued at more than £2.0 billion based in Kenya, according to The British High Commissioner.

The United Kingdom also accounts for more than 27% of Kenya’s fresh produce exports and 56% of the black tea export market, making it a crucial export destination.

Over a quarter of a million British nationals call Kenya home, with around the same number of Kenyans currently living in the UK.

For these and more credible stories, join our revamped Telegram and WhatsApp channels.

Telegram: https://t.me/peopledailydigital

WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va698juDOQIToHyu1p