Kenya’s national airline, Kenya Airways is set to resume direct flights to Angola, following a meeting between Presidents William Ruto of Kenya and João Lourenço of Angola, at the Presidential Palace in Luanda on Wednesday January 8, 2024. 

The discussions marked an important step towards deepening diplomatic and economic ties between the two nations.

A key outcome of the meeting was Angola’s decision to waive visa requirements for Kenyan citizens, reciprocating Kenya’s earlier move. 

“This will make it easier for our professionals, like teachers, to travel to Angola,” President Ruto remarked.

The two leaders also focused on several critical issues affecting the African continent, including peace efforts in the Great Lakes region, the ongoing reforms within the African Union (AU), and the election of the AU Commission Chairperson next month. 

As the African Union’s designated champion for reforms, President Ruto invited President Lourenço to a retreat in Kenya later this month in preparation for the AU Heads of State Summit scheduled for February.

On the topic of the Luanda Process for Peace in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the two leaders stressed the need for a joint meeting between the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC) to strengthen the initiative. 

“Peace and security across our continent is crucial, and we aim to create a process that is inclusive and guarantees success,” President Ruto said.

Additionally, President Ruto sought support from President Lourenço for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s bid for the position of AU Commission Chairperson.

President Ruto, who had arrived in Luanda from Accra, Ghana, where he participated in President John Mahama’s inauguration, also discussed expanding trade between the two countries.

Accompanying the President were Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who also holds the position of Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary, along with Governors Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga) and Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay), Mandera Senator Ali Roba, and Kinangop MP Kwenya Thuku.