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South African President Zuma to host Kenya's Uhuru Kenyatta

Tuesday January 09 2018
uk+jz

Presidents Jacob Zuma of South Africa and Uhuru Kenyatta chat at the State pavilion at the JKIA airport in Nairobi, Kenya shortly before the former's departure. PHOTO | PSCU

By PETER DUBE

South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma will host his Kenyan counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta later this week.

The State visit will be Mr Kenyatta’s first since his re-election last year.

According to Mr Zuma’s office, the two leaders are expected to hold bilateral talks on Thursday in Durban.

“South Africa is a strategic partner of Kenya in many areas, particularly trade and security. Numerous South African companies have a presence in Kenya. They operate in sectors such as banking, insurance, accountancy, pharmaceuticals, retail, tourism and engineering,” read the statement from the South African presidency.

The two heads of State will also discuss issues of mutual importance including developments in the continent and internationally, the statement added.

President Kenyatta hosted the leader of Africa’s second largest economy in October 2016 with many Kenyans hoping South Africa would agree to review its visa requirements.

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However, President Zuma was noncommittal saying easing visa restrictions for Kenyans was “a matter in progress” and added that: “We have to ensure that there are no loopholes for criminals to take advantage of.”

READ: President Zuma's Kenya visit produces no visa deal

The two leaders signed agreements on trade, investment, defence and security.

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