Editor's Review

The deal was sealed after Iran President Ebrahim Raisi met President Ruto at State House, Nairobi.

The Iranian government will set up a motor vehicle manufacturing plant in Mombasa, President William Ruto has disclosed.

Addressing a joint press conference on Wednesday, July 12 at State House, Nairobi, alongside Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Ruto said the plant which will be named Kifaru will offer relief to Kenyan mechanics and other stakeholders in the automotive industry.

Kifaru, Ruto said, will manufacture indigenous vehicles and hence create employment for many Kenyans.

"His Excellency conveyed to me information that will be good news for stakeholders in our mechanical and automotive sector, including dealers, engineers, technicians and other workers: Iran’s intention to set up a motor vehicle assembly plant in Mombasa to manufacture an indigenous Iranian vehicle that has been given the Kiswahili name – ‘Kifaru’. I am confident that the project is as unstoppable as this name suggests," Ruto announced. 

President Ruto met Raisi at State House Nairobi during which a delegation from the two countries had an opportunity to deliberate on a myriad of issues.

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Guard of Honour for Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.

Iran is a major consumer of the Kenyan market and the meeting between the two heads of State will seek to boost trade relations.

The visit was to happen on Tuesday but it was pushed to Wednesday because of reasons yet to be disclosed.

The visit by Raisi saw Kenya sign five Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will see the country benefit from trade.

"This highly productive visit has been an excellent opportunity for us to renew and reaffirm the strong bonds of friendship and solidarity between the governments and peoples of Kenya and Iran," Ruto said.

"Today, President Raisi and I have witnessed the signing of five memoranda of understanding on cooperation in Information, Communication and Technology; Fisheries; Animal Health and Livestock Production and Investment Promotion."

Raisi becomes the first Iranian President to visit Kenya in 11 years.

He arrived in the country on Tuesday even and will later proceed to Uganda and Zimbabwe for a three-day visit.