Republic of Mauritius- Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary pays courtesy call on Prime Minister Jugnauth

The Cabinet Secretary is currently in Mauritius for the handing-over to Kenya of the stewardship of the contact group on piracy off the Coast of Somalia.  Mauritius has, during the last two years, been chairing this important international framework and at the last meeting it was agreed that Kenya would take over from Mauritius.

In a statement following the meeting, Dr Juma stated that discussions with the Prime Minister focused on the growing bilateral relations between Mauritius and Kenya.  She recalled that President Uhuru Kenyatta was on a State Visit in Mauritius last year and a number of strategic guidance was elaborated in terms of growing Mauritius-Kenya ties, cooperation between both countries’ Ports, cooperation to increase trade flows and investments and increase people-to-people relationship.

The Cabinet Secretary emphasised that more importantly discussions focused on how we can reinforce ties as far as the maritime domain and its security are concerned.  The Indian Ocean is one of the busiest commercial routes and so it is important that we secure the region so that there is safe passage to allow a growth in trade and take advantage of the resources in this maritime domain, she indicated. 

According to her, estimates indicate that there is a huge potential that is yet to be tapped but the growing interest and actors in the Indian Ocean realm make it an imperative for us to coordinate better and create frameworks for reducing the risks particularly related to piracy and other international crimes.