Kenya and US Sign Bilateral Strategic Agreements

Washington DC: Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary, Amb. Monica Juma wrapped her four day official visit to the United States on a high note, today, after the conclusion of the inaugural Bilateral Strategic Dialogue framework. The BSD discussions centered its four pillars and concluded with detailed work plans that will guide implementation of agreed actions. Two significant documents were signed – first the BSD framework document and the Joint Country and Action Plan.

CS Juma arrived in Washington DC on Monday and over four days held a series of meetings with the leadership across the US administration- at the Pentagon State Department, Department of Commerce, the US chamber of Commerce, and the White House. The CS also engaged with the Constituency For Africa, a group of African American Small and Medium Enterprises captains and addressed policy makers and analysis at the Centre for International Strategic Studies (CSIS).

The Bilateral Strategic Dialogue seeks to grow trade and investment ties, enhance security and defence cooperation, promote good governance and multilateral cooperation between Kenya and the United States of America. On Thursday, CS Juma, accompanied by CS Matiangi met with Amb. John Bolton, the National Security Advisor to President Donald Trump. Their discussions centered on closer collaboration in counter-terrorism in the Horn of Africa and expanding economic ties.

In her remarks, CS Juma noted that while both governments are focused on improving trade between them, the present “threat of international jihadism” from Somali militants Al-Shabaab and other groups, demands a focused effort to secure trade and investment.

“This threat is the greatest risk to our strategic aspirations because even if we think big, even if we create the right environment for investments and trade, unless we are able to tether the threat that comes with extremism, then we are at a risk,” — Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary, Amb. Monica Juma.

While in Washington CS Juma also met with Mr. John Sullivan, Deputy Secretary of State, Mr. David Trachtenberg, Deputy Undersecretary for Policy, Department of Defence, Amb. Tibor Nagy, Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Department of Commerce team led by Sarah Kemp.

“I depart DC satisfied that we have prosecuted the agenda as directed by President Uhuru Kenyatta and President Donald Trump, and this for the benefit of the people of Kenya and the US,” — Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary, Amb. Monica Juma