Gachagua holds talks with Botswana President

By Peter Ochieng

Deputy President Geoffrey Rigathi Gachagua on Monday held an engagement with Botswana President Eric Mokgweetsi Masisi, in Gaborone.

The Deputy President travelled to Botswana on Saturday, for a five day visit to attend the 30 under 30 Forbes Summit.

According to Gachagua, their discussion centered around "a number of issues aimed at deepening relations of the two countries for mutual benefit of our people."

"Key among the issues was inter-state agreements to increase trade volumes under the frameworks of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AFCFTA), Tripartite Free Trade Area Agreement, among others," he said.

Over 3, 000 Kenyans live and work in Botswana, a South African nation.

"We will continue improving our collaboration under the Joint Permanent Commission for Cooperation framework signed between the two nations in 2001," added the Deputy President.

He officially invited President Masisi to participate in the United Nations (UN) Habitat Assembly in June, 2023, to be held in Kenya's Capital, Nairobi.

The invitation was readily accepted. He wasaccompanied by his wife, Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, Principal Secretary for State Department, Diaspora Affairs Roseline Njogu and Kenya's High Commissioner to Botswana Mohamed Shidiye.

Gachagua is in Botswana on behalf of President William Ruto.