This archive report was first published on 4 July 2020.
On Saturday, President Uhuru Kenyatta and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson held a phone call to discuss the start of post-Brexit trade negotiations between their countries.
The negotiations will be conducted within the Kenya-UK Strategic Partnership Framework established in January 2020 and the East African Community (EAC) parameters to enhance regional integration.
During the call, the two leaders also discussed several Kenya-UK bilateral interests, including their responses to the global Covid-19 health crisis.
President Uhuru thanked the British Government for extending visa over-stay amnesty for Kenyan nationals in the UK who cannot travel back due to the Covid-19 travel restrictions until May 30.
He noted that the visa amnesty had enabled Kenyans, especially students and workers, to apply for long-term visa renewal in the UK without having to travel back to Kenya.
President Uhuru also thanked the UK Government for supporting Kenya's Worker Protection Scheme, which will benefit garment and horticultural sectors to avoid massive staff layoffs during the current Covid-19 global economic disruption.
On Britain's support for Kenya's successful bid for the recent UN Security Council elections, he thanked Prime Minister Johnson for his country's endorsement.
The two leaders reaffirmed their strong support for the Commonwealth and committed to working together to ensure stability, continuity, and the deepening of solidarity among Commonwealth nations.
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