Japan-Kenya Relations
Japan- Kenya Foreign Ministers’ Working Lunch
August 26, 2022
On August 26, commencing at noon (local time; same day, 08:00p.m. JST) for approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan who is visiting Tunisia to attend the 8th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 8), held a working lunch with Amb. Raychelle Awuor Omamo, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kenya. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Hayashi expressed his gratitude for Cabinet Secretary Omamo’s participation in TICAD 8, and also expressed his hope for a peaceful transition of power following the Presidential election in Kenya. Minister Hayashi then stated the importance of the project of Mombasa SEZ development project that links Africa and Asia and expressed his hope that Kenya will take an active initiative in favor of this project to attract from abroad to expand their businesses in Kenya. In response, Cabinet Secretary Omamo stated that the presidential election shows that Kenya is maturing democratically, and expressed her gratitude to Japan for its investment in Kenya in the green sector and "people" and for its support in Universal Health Coverage (UHC). She also thanked Japan for its support in the green sector and "people" investment in Kenya and in Universal Health Coverage (UHC). The both sides confirmed to work for further development of bilateral relations based on the outcome of TICAD 8.
- Minister Hayashi then stated that it is essential for the international community to cooperate in its response to Russia's aggression against Ukraine, and that Japan intends to continue contributing to strengthening food security in Africa. Cabinet Secretary Omamo stated that, as the global economy is intricately connected, the vulnerability of food security in Africa is evident and that she appreciates the support from Japan. Minister Hayashi also raised the importance of transparency and fairness of development finance and the two sides confirmed to cooperate with each other.
- Furthermore, the two sides shared the view to continue to work together in responding to regional and international issues, such as North Korea, including on the nuclear, missile, and abductions issues, disarmament and non-proliferation, including cooperation in maintaining and strengthening the NPT regime, and strengthening of the functions of the United Nations as a whole, including the Security Council reform.