National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula on Wednesday appealed to Egypt to rally behind the Africa Continental Free Trade Area.
The AfCFTA initiative aims at establishing an integrated and open African market for all 55 members.
Highlighting Egypt's pivotal role as an economic force within the continent, Wetang'ula underscored the contribution Egypt's engagement means for realisation of AfCFTA's objectives.
"With Egypt, an esteemed member of the 'Big Four Brothers' (Egypt, Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria) within the continent, standing as a signatory to the AfCFTA, the aspirations of member nations rest upon its robust participation," he said.
Wetang'ula made the remarks in his office when he hosted Egyptian Ambassador to Kenya Wael Nasreldin Attiya who had paid him a courtesy call Wednesday.
"The AfCFTA stands as a paragon of economic progress for Africa. The success of this initiative promises to usher in an era of unparalleled economic advancement across the African continent," he said.
Wetang’ula was Foreign minister from 2008 to 2010 and from 2011 to 2012, and he was Minister for Trade from 2012 to 2013. He has advocated enhanced intra-African trade and the fortification of regional and local value chains.
On Wednesday, he championed the potential of the AfCFTA to facilitate seamless access for investors to many opportunities.
"The vast potential of free trade in Africa not only paves the way for investment, but also acts as a catalyst to escalate intra-Africa trade, while nurturing the development of regional and local value chains hitherto unexplored," Wetang'ula said.
The Speaker said Egypt has excelled in irrigation of desert areas, noting its methods can be applied in Kenya, helping in food production and reclaiming arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs).
"Numerous communities in Kenya's arid lands grapple with deprivation and livestock loss stemming from food scarcity. Drawing inspiration from Egypt's exemplary irrigation programmes, these areas could be rejuvenated into productive havens," he said.
Citing climate change mitigation, the Speaker praised Egypt's successful afforestation initiatives and borehole installations within drought-prone regions.
He urged Egypt to reinvigorate these initiatives, amplifying the collective efforts of the Kenyan government to combat the dire repercussions of climate change.
Wetang'ula and Attiya also discussed how to foster a collaborative Parliamentary Friendship Group uniting the legislative houses of Kenya and Egypt.
The group would serve as a platform for the exchange of strategic insights, enriching the parliamentary landscape of both nations.
"Once this mechanism is firmly established, and a comprehensive exchange itinerary is crafted, plans are afoot for a reciprocal visit by Kenyan parliamentarians to Egypt, slated for either November or January next year,'' he said.
Amidst these high-level discussions, Attiya praised the “profound” bilateral rapport between Kenya and Egypt, urging the Kenyan Parliament to fortify these ties.
The ambassador introduced the forthcoming 7th Kenya-Egypt Joint Commission for Cooperation event, scheduled to set to take place in Kenya. The date has not been announced.
The conference is considered a potential platform to consolidate trade between the two nations. This is aimed to propel economic prosperity and improve both countries’ growth.