Posted on July, 26, 2021 at 09:18 am
President Uhuru Kenyatta held talks with the visiting Ireland Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney.
The President and his visitor discussed a wide array of bilateral and multilateral subjects of mutual interest.
Among the talks was agriculture and technology transfer.
Uhuru expressed gratitude to the Government of Ireland for its financing of the Sh1m pound Irish potato value-chain project.
This is being implemented by the International Fertiliser Development Centre in Nyandarua County.
“We are very grateful for the collaboration we have in the agricultural sector. The results have been great. The collaboration in potato farming has made such a huge impact at the grassroots,” Uhuru said.
Uhuru welcomed Ireland's decision to support Kenya's diary sector and encouraged the European nation to extend the same assistance to the beef sub-sector.
“We would appreciate help in this field (beef sub-sector) as it will go a long way in creating food stability amongst our people besides boosting meat exports from our livestock,” he said.
On technology transfer, Uhuru said the country will continue partnering with Ireland through the Young Scientists Kenya organization.
He said YSK had given Kenyan youth a platform to incubate and exhibit their innovations through the annual national science and technology contest.
“We have invested heavily and collaboration in this technology field. I see tremendous opportunities with your help in the technology world,” he said.
Ireland minister Coveney thanked Uhuru for the commitment to building strong relations with his country.
Coveney expressed Ireland's desire to expand its support to other sectors of the Kenyan economy saying, the European nation's cooperation support for science and technology projects was laying a firm foundation for the country's economic prosperity.
“Cooperation through the Young Scientists Kenya is also picking momentum and some of the members were able to come to Ireland and participate in some science events and competitions," Coveney said.
Uhuru was joined by Foreign Affairs CS Raychelle Omamo and Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua.
Also present were Foreign Affairs PS Amb Macharia Kamau and Deputy State House Chief of Staff responsible for Policy and Strategy Mrs Ruth Kagia.
Source: The Star