Kenya, Tanzania ink over $1B gas pipeline deal

By Andrew Wasike

NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) – After years of strained relations, East African countries Kenya and Tanzania have signed a multimillion-dollar gas pipeline deal.

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu made her first maiden trip to Kenya on Tuesday on the invitation of Kenyan counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta to ink the agreement.

“We are friends in East Africa. Kenya leads in investments in my country Tanzania, and has invested in 513 projects worth $1.7 billion, providing employment to 51,000 Tanzanians,” Suluhu told a joint news conference in the Kenyan capital Nairobi.

“We also signed a gas pipeline deal today, which will transport gas between the coastal town of Mombasa in Kenya and Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.” The project will cost 121 billion Kenya shillings ($1.1 billion) and cover 600 kilometers (373 miles).

Kenyatta said they have committed to reenergize a joint commission of cooperation, adding that “today we engaged in bilateral talks with President Samia Suluhu about issues that involve our two countries. We are not just neighbors geographically, but share culture, language and heritage.”

According to the Kenyan presidency, Suluhu and Kenyatta witnessed the signing of MoUs on natural gas transportation, animal health and sanitary measures, culture, arts, social integration and national heritage.

The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties by boosting trade and people-to-people contact.