Online Reporter
Rumbidzayi Zinyuke
Senior Reporter
KENYA has expressed keen interest in deepening diplomatic, economic and cultural ties with Zimbabwe.
The two countries enjoy longstanding ties underpinned by a shared history, cultural links and a common vision for Africa’s integration and prosperity.
Speaking after presenting her credentials to President Mnangagwa at State House in Harare yesterday, newly appointed Kenyan Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mrs Getrude Nyausi Angote said her mission would prioritise strengthening cooperation between the two countries in key sectors.
“Our priorities are in trade and investment but also, more importantly, we intend to deepen our diplomatic relations in many ways,” she said.
Ambassador Angote said tourism and cultural exchange were areas with significant potential for growth.
She said Zimbabwe and Kenya shared a healthy and wealthy tourism industry, adding that the two countries were already cooperating on this front and were looking for an upscaling of collaborations.
Ambassador Angote also emphasised the importance of collaboration in addressing climate change, which continues to affect the African continent disproportionately.
“As you know, Africa is disproportionately affected by the effects of climate change and with the climate change agenda across the globe, we are looking at our relationships with Zimbabwe to work around strengthening our resilience and coming up with climate action to deal with the effects of climate change — droughts, floods — that affect us as Africa,” she said.
Ambassador Angote noted that the strong relationship between President Mnangagwa and his Kenyan counterpart William Ruto, particularly in their roles within continental and regional bodies, offered a strong foundation for future cooperation.
“We are looking at continuing those kinds of relations and deepening engagements,” she said.
Ambassador Angote also singled out education and agriculture as critical areas for collaboration that could boost food security and skills development in both countries.
“Education is a very critical thing. Let’s have more exchanges in education and in agriculture so Africa can bolster our food security as two countries that are very close together,” she said.
Her accreditation marks the formal commencement of her diplomatic mission in Zimbabwe, with both nations expected to continue building on their longstanding historical and political ties.
