President Uhuru Kenyatta has been handed the key of Maputo city, the highest honour a city’s administration can accord a visitor.
The Thursday evening handover was by city mayor David Simango during a ceremony at the Noble Hall of the Maputo Municipal Council.
The President, who was with First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, said he was delighted by the honour bestowed on him and the people of Kenya.
“Maputo and my own capital city have much in common. Very much cosmopolitan, very much welcoming of investments and very committed to uplifting lives of their citizens,” he said.
Noting that African leaders have approved the Continental Free Trade Area, Uhuru urged Maputo and Nairobi to take advantage of the agreement and explore projects for mutual benefit.
The President pointed out that collaboration and cooperation mean something only if people can move freely in Africa.
He noted Kenya had been giving this a big push.
“Our relations can be strengthened by increased people-to-people contact in the strong understanding that [this] creates wealth, jobs and prosperity for our cities and nations.”
Uhuru pledged to ensure that in the shortest possible time, true collaboration is created at the technical level – between the cities’ officers – and ther politicians.
