Uhuru to Hold Talks with Trump in Washington, DC

President Kenyatta is this week scheduled to hold talks with his United States counterpart Donald Trump in Washington, DC.

The meeting between the two leaders comes as Kenya and the US prepare to start negotiations on a free-trade agreement (FTA), America’s first such deal with a sub-Saharan nation, according to Bloomberg.

Trump’s official schedule released on Sunday shows that the two presidents will hold an “expanded bilateral meeting” on Thursday, February 6th.

Last week, Kenya cabinet approved the commencement of talks with the US for a trade deal. In a statement, State House said the agreement would help Kenyan goods to have smooth access to the expansive US market especially as the African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) comes to an end.

AGOA, which gives nearly 40 sub-Saharan African countries duty-free access to the US for over 6,000 products, expires in 2025.

The Trump administration reportedly wants to use the agreement with Kenya as a model for future trade pacts with African countries.

President Kenyatta left the country for the US on Monday to attend the country’s 68th National Prayer Breakfast after an invite by the US Congress. Kenyatta, alongside ODM leader Raila Odinga, is expected to give a talk on their March 9th, 2018 handshake at the two-day function.