Staff Reporter
Zimbabwe and Kenya are poised to further solidify their bilateral relations as they prepare to ink a suite of six new Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), this marks a significant milestone in the on-going fourth session of the Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation (JPCC).
The development heralds a deepening of ties, indicative of the progressive relationship the two nations enjoy.
In a pronounced commitment to this burgeoning partnership, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Ambassador Rofina Chikava, said, "We discussed and agreed on many aspects that will strengthen the bilateral relations between Zimbabwe and Kenya; therefore, six MOUs have been identified, and we will have Ministers or representatives from each country to sign the MOUs."
According to Ambassador Chikava, the scope of collaboration spans several key sectors, including agriculture, education and health.
Notably, the education and health sectors anticipate a dynamic exchange programme between the two countries’ medical hospitals, poised to enrich the learning experiences of students through diverse clinical practices.
Moreover, Ambassador Chikava commended the conferment of Kenyan citizenship on Zimbabwean nationals living in that country.
"Zimbabwe is forever grateful for the granting of citizenship to its nationals in Kenya. That decision, Co-Chair, has strengthened the people-to-people relations between our two countries,” said Ambassador Chikava.
She further highlighted the mutual commitment to nurturing these ties, referencing high-level visits as reflective of "the excellent relations between our two great nations" and underscoring a shared vision for an expanded partnership.
Recalling President Mnangagwa's visit to Kenya for the third JPCC session last year, seven MOUs were signed, encompassing a variety of domains from political dialogue to tourism, aviation safety, and socio-economic empowerment initiatives.
Complementing these agreements, mutual support at international forums has been evident, with Zimbabwe and Kenya backing each other's candidatures at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Pan-African Parliament, respectively.
Zimbabwe also supported Kenya's role at the United Nations Security Council, further underscoring the diplomatic goodwill between the two.
The commitment to enhancing cooperation extends to research and diplomatic training, a move that promises to shape the international relations landscape favourably for both nations.
Meanwhile, this forward momentum is a clear indication of Zimbabwe and Kenya's dedication to a collaborative future marked by shared growth and prosperity.
