CS FRED MATIANG’I GOES ON A SPECIAL MISSION

President Uhuru Kenyatta has sent Interior Cabinet Secretary, Dr Fred Matiang’i on a crucial mission to Zambia.The Interior CS arrived in Lusaka, Zambia on Thursday morning, September 2, and was received by envoys from the southern African country.

A statement from the Interior CS Twitter account indicates that Matiang’i will be delivering a special message from Uhuru to newly-elected Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema.

The Interior CS did not reveal what Uhuru’s message to Hichilema was but noted that Zambia and Kenya share bilateral relations in trade, among others.

“Kenya and Zambia enjoy a rich history of bilateral relations in trade and cooperation in strategic and mutual geopolitical interests.”

“Looking forward to delivering H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta’s special message to the newly elected President,” the CS stated in the statement.

Uhuru is looking to build strong partnerships with Zambia and he was among the ten African Heads of State and Government at Hichilema’s inauguration in Lusaka on August 24, 2021.

President Kenyatta was joined by ODM leader Raila Odinga, whose arrival in Zambia raised questions on whether he was attending the ceremony as a government representative, a party representative or in his personal capacity. 

However, the Zambia inauguration committee later explained that President Kenyatta would represent Kenya in an official capacity, while Raila was part of Opposition leaders from around the continent who had been asked to grace the occasion. 

The ODM leader was invited alongside firebrand South African Politician Julius Malema, Zimbabwe Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa, among others. 

59-year-old Hichilema served as Zambia’s Opposition leader for many years – most recently under incumbent  President Edgar Lungu who lost the election. 

By Kenyans