Thread by @SAgovnews

President Cyril Ramaphosa and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta are expected to brief the media following a state visit by President Kenyatta and talks between the two countries. #KenyaInSA

According to The Presidency, discussions were centred on bilateral, multilateral, economic, regional and continental issues. #KenyaInSA

President Ramaphosa: "We would like our ministers to remove any unreasonable barriers or challenges that are stifling efforts for us to trade between our two countries. We want to increase trade between South Africa and Kenya". #KenyaInSA

The President says both countries have knowledge and expertise to benefit each other. He adds however, that movement of people must be facilitated between the two countries. #KenyaInSA

President Ramaphosa: "We are most pleased to witness the signing of the memorandum of understanding in migration matters and the agreement on the return of nationals refused entry and illegal entrants". #KenyaInSA

Turning to COVID-19 vaccines, President Ramaphosa says South Africa and Kenya have the expertise and capacity to produce vaccines on the continent. #KenyaInSA

Ramaphosa: "We are two of some of the countries...who should and will be able to manufacture our own vaccines which we will make available to the rest of the continent". #KenyaInSA

Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta is now addressing the media. #KenyaInSA

President Kenyatta says the two countries have "warm and cordial" relations which "continue to thrive" leading to successes in bilateral and multilateral relations. #KenyaInSA

President Kenyatta: "Kenya considers South Africa as one of her most dependable and strategic allies on the continent". #KenyaInSA

President Kenyatta says it is his country's view that relations between the two countries should be elevated. #KenyaInSA

Kenya's President commends President Cyril Ramaphosa on his leadership of the AU during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. #KenyaInSA

President Kenyatta highlights that it is "unfortunate" that COVID-19 vaccine nationalism and hoarding continues while the pandemic still remains. #KenyaInSA

President Kenyatta: "We in Kenya intend to start local production of COVID-19 vaccines during the first quarter of 2022 with the aim of developing a fully fledged vaccine manufacturing capacity by the end of 2024. #KenyaInSA

President Kenyatta says his administration looks forward to engaging with South Africa on matters related to health. #KenyaInSA

Turning to the "trade imbalance" between South Africa and Kenya, President Kenyatta says there are areas where either country holds an advantage. #KenyaInSA

President Kenyatta: "Given the importance of South Africa and Kenya in the continent, addressing the bottlenecks and the trade and investment regime between our two countries is an important building block towards harnessing the benefits of the Africa Free Trade Area". #KenyaInSA

Regarding regional security, President Kenyatta says the two countries must work together to "silence the guns". #KenyaInSA

President Kenyatta: "The war against terror will never be won by any one country. It will take all of us working together to ensure that we rid our continent of the terror agenda". #KenyaInSA

President Kenyatta has concluded his remarks and the briefing has ended. Please visit sanews.gov.za for more on this story.