Kenya and Tanzania have signed a multimillion-dollar deal for a gas pipeline that will run between the coastal cities of Mombasa and Dar es Salaam.
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu made her first trip to Kenya on Tuesday on the invitation of President Uhuru Kenyatta, during which the deal was signed.
“We are friends in East Africa. Kenya leads in investments in my country Tanzania, and has invested in 513 projects worth $1.7 billion, providing employment to 51,000 Tanzanians. We also signed a gas pipeline deal today, which will transport gas between the coastal town of Mombasa in Kenya and Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.” President Samia Suluhu at a joint press conference in Nairobi.
The project will cost Kes 121 billion and cover 600 kilometres (373 miles).
Relations between Kenya and Tanzania grew strained during the five years Magufuli was president of Tanzania. Seeing as the two presidents did not agree on the way of leadership. However, following the appointment of President Suluhu Hassan, the two countries are now making efforts to improve their relationships.
President Uhuru Kenyatta said they have committed to reenergizing a joint commission of cooperation, adding that they engaged in bilateral talks with President Samia Suluhu about issues that involve our two countries.” We are not just neighbours geographically, but share culture, language and heritage.”
The project is aimed to help reduce the cost of electric power and transition Kenya to environment-friendly energy.
No timelines were given, but President Samia Suluhu said respective technocrats have been directed to start working on it immediately.
Additionally, the two countries also agreed to reduce barriers to bilateral trade to grow businesses and investment between the two countries.
Speaking at the joint Conference, president Uhuru Kenyatta said
“We have agreed to work on the main highway between Malindi through Lungalunga to Bagamoyo. We also agree that we will work on the resumption of transportation services on Lake Victoria, which were useful in the movement of people and goods from Jinja to Kisumu and to Mwanza and Bukoba.” president Uhuru Kenyatta.
Kenya and Tanzania also agreed health officials should work together to solve the COVID-19 situation in the two countries.
Read also: Tanzania Calls for Resumption of Negotiations of $30 Billion LNG Project.
