By Andrew Wasike
NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) – The leaders of Kenya and South Africa on Wednesday signed multiple deals to bolster bilateral ties, while also reaching an agreement on visa-free travel.
“We have agreed that starting Jan. 1, 2023, Kenyan ordinary passport holders will be allowed to enter South Africa visa-free for up to 90 days a year,” Kenyan President William Ruto said at a joint press conference with his counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa in the capital Nairobi.
Ramaphosa said the countries will “review this in a year’s time or so to see how this is functioning.”
Ruto said they signed “four instruments of cooperation that will play a definitive role in Kenya-South Africa relations.”
They are three memoranda of understanding and one agreement in fields including correctional services, housing, and education.
“There are definitive opportunities for South Africa and Kenya to share experiences and good practice,” said Ramaphosa, who is on a two-day state visit to Kenya with a delegation of his top ministers.
He emphasized the economic potential of cooperation between the countries and vowed to “increase trade volumes and investment in each other’s economies.”
“We are building an enduring partnership between Kenya and South Africa that will benefit all our people and that will make an important contribution to the development of our continent,” he added.
The leaders also reviewed existing partnerships in trade, agriculture, housing, and public services, according to a Kenyan government statement.