Kenya, Zimbabwe sign seven deals to boost investments

President Uhuru Kenyatta and Zimbabwean Emmerson Mnangagwa signed seven bilateral agreements aimed at strengthening relations between the two countries.

The deal focusing primarily on increasing trade and investments was at the core of President Mnangagwa’s State visit to Kenya as he continues with his engagement and re-engagement crusade.

President Kenyatta said in a statement issued after holding a bilateral meeting that the agreements will enable Kenya and Zimbabwe to cooperate in addressing challenges facing them, particularly youth unemployment.

Kenyatta said in a statement issued after holding a bilateral meeting that the agreements will enable Kenya and Zimbabwe to cooperate in addressing challenges facing them, particularly youth unemployment.

Exclusive deals signed between President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya and President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe (left). Image courtesy of (@StateHouseKenya/Twitter) Pulse Live Kenya

The bilateral agreements focused on political and diplomatic consultations, tourism and wildlife conservation, and civil aircraft accidents and serious incidents investigations.

Others were on women empowerment and community development, youth affairs, cooperatives and sports and recreation activities.

President Mnangagwa said his visit to Kenya was aimed at deepening the strong and historical bilateral relations between Nairobi and Harare.

Exclusive deals signed between President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya and President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe Pulse Live Kenya

FIFA ban on Kenya and Zimbabwe

The talks come only weeks after FIFA suspended Kenya and Zimbabwe over government interference.

Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed suspended the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) in November 2021 and appointed a caretaker committee that took charge of soccer activities in the country.

Sports CS Amina Mohammed (right) disbands FKF led by Nick Mwendwa (right). CS Mohammed went further to form a caretaker committee to run football. Pulse Live Kenya

In Zimbabwe, the country's federation was suspended by the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) in November 2021 also.

While the government-appointed commission disbanded ZIFA, it cited some of the reasons, including alleged sexual harassment of female referees by technical staff and allegations of fraud, as the basis of their action.