National Day Celebrations of the Arab Republic of Egypt
The Arab Republic of Egypt National Day Celebrations were held in Nairobi on the 23rd July, 2019 at the Ambassador’s Residence. The Chief Administrative Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (CAS), Hon. Ababu Namwamba was the chief guest during the occasion, which was hosted by the Egyptian Ambassador to Kenya His Excellency Mr. Khaled Elabyad.
Hon. Namwamba, in his congratulation message noted the warm and cordial relations between the two countries, dating back to pre-independence era, and which flourished and under the leadership of Kenya’s founding father the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, and Egypt’s Second President, the Late Gamel Abdel Nasser. He underscored the historical and strategic cooperation between the two countries, which was further strengthened during the State Visit to Kenya, by H.E. President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi in February 2017, and the recent visit by H.E. Mr. Sameh Shoukry, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt.
The National Day also marks the Anniversary of the 1952 Revolution. Hon. Namwamba pointed out that, Kenya and Egypt have had diplomatic relations over the past 54 years, and which have continued to expand and strengthen through diplomatic, commercial, technical and scientific cooperation. Egypt offers training opportunities to Kenyan workers in specialized fields of Health, Agriculture, Security, ICT and Diplomacy, through the Egyptian Partnership Agency for Development ( EPAD)
The two countries have also witnessed tremendous growth in bilateral relations in the past 2 years, with an increase in regular engagements in areas of Trade, Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, technical and manpower development. Hon. Namwamba called on Egyptian investors to partner with Kenya in the priority sectors under H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Big Four Agenda in the fields of Universal Healthcare, Food Security, Affordable Housing, and Manufacturing.
The Chief Administrative Secretary pointed out that, the Joint Trade Committee and the Joint Business Council that exists between the two countries can be useful vehicles in assisting the private sector to engage in joint ventures and diversify the scope of our economic engagements. He noted that the elevation of the Joint Commission for Cooperation by our two Heads of State to a Joint Ministerial Commission was a show of determination by the leaders to further strengthen the cooperation that already exists between the two countries.
Hon. Namwamba said Kenya was ready and willinging to work with Egypt to deepen our partnership in the pursuit of the common aspirations and commitments under the African Union Agenda 2063 that envisages the socio-economic transformation of Africa through implementation of key programmes aimed at unlocking the potential for Africa’s growth and prosperity.
He called on Egypt to support Kenya’s resolve to contribute to the reform and redesign of the existing international institutions to reflect Kenya’s belief in the rule-based system and progressive values, and to actualize this vision, CAS said Kenya, will present her candidature for the 2021-2022 non-permanent seat of the United Nations Security Council, during elections to be held in June 2020 in New York. He also commended Egypt for the well organised and successful hosting of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) that took place from 21st June to 19th July 2019 in Egypt.
