Kenya, Tanzania leaders pledge to enhance bilateral ties

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Tanzanian counterpart John Pombe Magufuli on Monday pledged to "renew" bilateral cooperation in key areas like trade, security, labor migration and wildlife protection.

Magufuli is on his first official visit to Kenya since his swearing in October last year.

Speaking to reporters in Nairobi after bilateral talks, the two leaders said trade, investments and the war against terrorism will be the cornerstone of diplomatic engagement between the neighbours.

Kenyatta said Magufuli's state visit to Kenya marked a significant milestone in regional integration.

Kenyatta said both governments were committed to regional integration to boost trade, investments and cross-border movement of skilled workforce.

He said Kenya and Tanzania governments will harmonize issuance of work permits to promote cross-border movement of skilled personnel.

The Kenyan president said that renewed ties with Tanzania will also focus on education, environmental protection and fight against transnational crimes.

Magufuli said Kenya and Tanzania shared a similar vision of advancing regional trade, investments and stability.

"Our two nations collaborated during the clamor for independence and this friendship will be strengthened further in our quest to promote development, peace and stability," Magufuli said.

He revealed that Kenyan companies had invested 1.6 billion U.S. dollars in Tanzania hence creating 650,000 jobs.

The Tanzanian leader's two-day visit to Kenya will culminate in the commissioning of a by-pass in southern Nairobi built by a Chinese company on Tuesday. Endit