This archive report was first published on 8 July 2019.
On July 8, 2019, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Tanzanian counterpart John Magufuli met in Chato Town, Northern Tanzania, for a two-day private visit.
The two leaders resolved to revamp the Lake Victoria Ferry Services, establish a natural gas trade arrangement, and vowed to deal firmly with insecurity as well as enhance cross-border investments.
President Magufuli invited Kenyan firms to invest in his country, marking an end to simmering trade hostilities between the two nations.
Kenyan manufacturers have been frustrated by Tanzania's push-back over duty-free sugar imports, with the country slapping the commodity with a 25 per cent duty.
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The informal meeting of the two heads of state is also likely to calm down tensions following xenophobic remarks by Starehe MP Charles Njagua calling for the eviction of Tanzanian traders from Gikomba market in Nairobi.
On the revival of the regional ferry service, Uhuru and Magufuli noted that regular maritime travel from Kisumu, Mwanza, Bukoba, and other ports would help create employment, enhance connectivity, and spur related economic activities.
