Sirleaf Extols Kenya’s Support In Liberia’s Ebola Fight

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has extolled the Government and people of Kenya for their selfless support to Liberia in the fight against the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). President Sirleaf said Kenya proved to be a true friend to Liberia when the east African nation sent medical staff to assist in the fight against the deadly Ebola virus disease.

“You will always know your genuine friends when passing through tough times,” she told the Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and delegation, adding, “Kenya stood with us when we were confronted. We will always remain indebted to you.”

According to a dispatch from Nariobi, the Liberian leader made the commendation during bilateral talks with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta at State House in Nairobi at the weekend. In his response, President Kenyatta said the State Visit by the Liberian leader provided an opportunity to rejuvenate the enormous potential between the two countries, build upon a foundation of common values of mutual cooperation and interests.

He said the level of engagement between Liberia and Kenya particularly in trade has been very low but holds much promise. As a manifestation of their commitment to forge closer cooperation, Presidents Sirleaf and Kenyatta signed an Agreement for the establishment of a Joint Commission for Cooperation and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Political Consultations.

Liberia’s acting Foreign Minister Mr. Elias Shoniyin signed on behalf of the government; while Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Amina Mohammed signed for Kenya as Presidents Sirleaf and Kenyatta looked on.

President Kenyatta welcomed the signing and said it will provide the necessary legal and political frameworks for enhancing mutual beneficial commercial, cultural and diplomatic exchanges.

He challenged both countries and their delegations to move with speed to identify potential sectors for cooperation and develop strong and sustainable frameworks in order to accrue tangible benefits for their countries and citizens.

Presidents Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia and Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya have signed a Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) to revitalize the air transport connectivity between the two countries. In remarks during the signing ceremony, the Kenyan leader also signaled out agriculture as one area where his country can share its experiences with Liberia.

“Kenya,” President Kenyatta said, “can leverage its vast knowledge particularly in the livestock sub-sector to provide capacity building, share best practices in disease and pest control and cooperate in research and technology transfer.”

The Kenya President said Liberia, which is home to the second largest maritime registry in the world, has a wealth of experience in maritime affairs that Kenya could benefit from. He then thanked Liberia for its decision to join the World Trade Organization (WTO), the main decision-making body in the global trade system.

“Kenya,” he said, “looks forward to working closely with Liberia and other African countries within the WTO to ensure that the needs of the continent are addressed.”Also in remarks, President Sirleaf said she was in Kenya to attend the WTO meeting and to make her country’s voice heard at that world body.

She conceded that the time was ripe for Liberia and Kenya to explore new areas of engagements to benefit their citizens. Madam Srleaf cited great strides Kenya has made, especially in the education sector, adding that this is one area of cooperation Liberia was keen to develop with the east African country.

Kenya, she observed, has excelled in providing quality education to its young people and as such Liberia intends to borrow a leaf from Kenya. Later, President Kenyatta and First Lady Margaret Kenyatta hosted a luncheon in honor of the visiting Liberian Head of State and her delegation at State House, Nairobi.

In a related development President Sirleaf and delegation were later taken on a guided tour of the flower farm at Karen on the outskirts of the capital, Nairobi and the Kazuri Beads project. The flower farm exports natural flower to several industrialized nations, including the United States and Germany. The Kazuri Beads project aims at empowering women through sustainable employment opportunities.

Driven by the desire to provide such opportunities, Kazuri has grown and today has a large workforce skilled in the manufacture of handmade jewelry. Kazuri Beads is specialized in the design and production of pottery-ware, which reflect the culture and wildlife of Kenya.