President William Ruto now says that Kenya will continue to grow its relationship with Somalia.
In a statement after a meeting with Somalia President Hassan Mohamud at State House, Nairobi, Ruto said that the collaboration between the two countries is bearing fruit.
He went on to say that by working together, the larger East African region has stability.
“Our collaboration with the government of the Republic of Somalia is bearing fruit. The region is witnessing greater peace and stability. We commit to grow this relationship,” President Ruto said.
Saturday’s meeting was the second time Ruto is hosting the Somalia President in Nairobi, in less than two months.
Their talks revolved around peace and security in the region and areas of collaboration in trade and investment.
In their April meeting, Ruto said discussions centred on joint initiatives to fight terrorism and general insecurity in the region.
Kenya and Somalia share a common insecurity threat from the al Shabaab terror group that has over the years staged attacks in both countries with devastating results.
President Ruto has been a key champion of regional peace a move that has seen Kenya take the lead in championing for peace in country that are at war, in the Eastern Africa region.
Kenya was elected as Chair of the IGAD quartet to resolve issues in Sudan on June 12, 2023, in Djibouti; other countries in the quartet include Sudan, South Sudan, and Ethiopia.
Kenya has also played a key role in resolving the conflict in the Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo through the Nairobi peace process led by former President Uhuru Kenyatta.