Egyptian, Kenyan diplomats celebrate Jamhuri day

CAIRO – 16 December 2018: In a very special ceremony held by the Kenyan Embassy in Cairo last week, Egyptian and Kenyan diplomats celebrated the day Nairobi gained its independence from the British rule, highlighting historic relations between both countries.

The Jamhuri day also marks the day Kenya became a republic in 1964. December 12 of each year is observed as a national holiday across the East African country.

“It was a very special and colorful day for Kenya, as we celebrate the heroes who contributed to Kenya’s peace, and I bring greetings from our president to all attendees,” said the Kenyan Cabinet Secretary of Ministry of Trade Hon. Peter G. Munya who was in Cairo attending a continental meeting that discussed the establishment of a global free trade zone among the African countries.


Kenyan Cabinet Secretary of Ministry of Trade Hon. Peter G. Munya during the celebration of Jamhuri day in Cairo - Photo by Nourhan Magdi/Egypt Today

“Kenya is participating in the pan African movement, which encourages that African people must walk together, must trade together, and must support each other in solidarity,” he added.


Kenyan Cabinet Secretary of Ministry of Trade Hon. Peter G. Munya giving a speech during the celebration of the Jamhuri day in Cairo - Photo by Nourhan Magdi/Egypt Today

For his part, Kenyan Ambassador to Cairo Joff Otieno emphasized Kenya’s efforts to boost intra-African trade and political unity, adding that Nairobi is one of the 44 states that signed the African continental free trade agreement in March.

He further said that Kenya is engaged in promoting regional integration and security, as it maintains commitment to finding solutions to conflicts in the region.


Kenyan Ambassador to Cairo Joff Otieno giving a speech during the celebration of the Jamhuri day in Cairo - Photo by Nourhan Magdi/Egypt Today

In comments on Egypt’s leadership to the African Union in 2019, Otieno told Egypt Today that “Egypt is already a leader within the region and championing integration in Africa; it is in the forefront of Africa’s connectivity.”

Besides Egypt being the second largest importer of Kenyan tea, Otieno also highlighted the ties between both countries being members of COMESA. Additionally, Egypt’s-led project of the 4,000 kilometers navigational shipping line will connect both countries along with eight other states in 2024; the waterway stretches between Lake Victoria and the Mediterranean Sea.


Egyptian and Kenyan diplomats celebrated the day Nairobi gained its independence from the British rule, highlighting historic relations between both countries - Photo by Nourhan Magdi/Egypt Today

Last week, Egypt hosted two important events tied to the continent; the Africa 2018 Forum in Sharm El-Sheikh and Africa Intra-trade conference in Cairo. The events gathered African companies and investors from all over the continent where Egypt manifested the role it plays to overcome challenges facing the continent. On the sidelines of the forum, Egypt hosted a military maneuver with African countries.

Mohamed Hegazy, advisor to the minister of local development for international cooperation, assured that fighting terrorism and economic development are pillars to Africa’s well-being. He further reiterated President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi’s description of Africa as a young continent, with the largest youth population worldwide, “which means that the success of youth is a great success to Africa.”

Tanzania picked two Egyptian firms; El Sewedy Electric Company and Arab Contractors to build a $2.9 billion hydroelectric dam in a renowned nature reserve.

“This reflects that inner-house cooperation between African countries is the key to development and that time has come to depend on each other’s resources to maintain our future,” commented Hegazy. He also underscored the importance of launching a global free trade zone, saying it is “one of Africa’s main goals in the coming decades.”