President William Ruto on January 8, agreed to work with Angola President João Lourenço to boost relations between the two countries.
Kenya’s head of state flew to Luanda on Tuesday evening after attending the inauguration ceremony of President John Mahama in Accra Ghana.
Among those who accompanied the President were Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Governors Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga) and Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay), Mandera Senator Ali Roba and Kinangop MP Kwenya Thuku.
One of the biggest deals made was the resumption of direct flights from Nairobi to Luanda, starting January 2025 in a move that will mark a significant milestone in deepening economic ties between Kenya and Angola.
The two Presidents also resulted in a resolution to ease travel restrictions, with Angola set to waive visa requirements for Kenyans. Kenya had earlier extended a similar gesture to Angolans.
According to Ruto, the move will significantly improve access for Kenyan professionals, particularly teachers, to job opportunities in Angola.
“We welcome Angola’s decision to work with Kenya in facilitating the resumption of Kenya Airways’ direct flights to Luanda from March. Coupled with the reciprocal waiver of visa requirements for Kenyans, this will strengthen bilateral ties and expand opportunities for enhanced cooperation and mutual benefits,” Ruto said in a statement.
The two heads of state also discussed the need for a meeting between the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC) to address the DR Congo conflict, which has displaced more than 100,000 people in less than a week.
