08 Nov 2023

Relations between Botswana and Kenya have grown stronger during the tenure of President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, and it has set the tone for even greater cooperation, outgoing Kenyan Ambassador, Mohammed Shidiye has said.

Speaking during a courtesy call at the Office of the President to bid farewell to Dr Masisi as his five-year term as High Commissioner of Kenya to Botswana draws to a close, Ambassador Shidiye said a lot had been achieved in recent years to strengthen ties between the two states.

“You have visited Kenya a few times, your approach to international issues has had a Pan-African approach and that has inspired us to work closer. Recently, during the preparations for the Kusi Ideas Festival, a Kenyan editor of the Nation Media Group noted that you spoke from the heart and meant well for the people of Botswana and Africa. You have been a good, generous friend of Kenya,” Ambassador Shidiye said.

Noting that Botswana and Kenya had a lot of similarities, including a similar sized landmass, democratic tradition, with both countries led by their fifth presidents, Kenya on its 13^th parliament and Botswana due for the same after the 2024 general elections, Ambassador Shidiye said there was room for stronger ties.

“There is a lot that could be explored to enhance economic ties with the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCTA) offering opportunities. We should get Botswana diamonds to be in every wedding in Kenya; for the high quality Kenyan tea to be consumed in Botswana. Instead of raw materials leaving our countries and returning as jewellery or branded tea from other continents, we need to change that trajectory,” he said.

President Masisi on the other hand paid tribute to Ambassador Shidiye for working hard during his tour of duty to strengthen the bond between the two states, and urged him to continue promoting Botswana to the world.

He said Kenya had been a reliable and dependable ally through the years, including in the training of human capital and providing educators to the country. 

President Masisi also said the two countries forged common positions in international fora, and that they could benefit from enhanced economic ties.

President Masisi said Botswana was amenable to the further deepening of relations and working towards finding common ground on issues where the two states had not been in agreement, as in the international statutes governing ivory trade.

President Masisi said owing to successful conservation, Botswana hosted a large herd of elephants, which increased human-wildlife conflict and a burden on the ecosystem. 

He said a responsible ivory trade could lead to better management of the herd and help drive the economies of countries such as Botswana and Kenya. Ends