Kenya is set to host a Centre of Excellence on Clean Transport Systems following the signing of a historic deal between Kenya and the State of California.
The deal was signed on Wednesday, September 24, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, USA.
President William Ruto and California Governor Gavin Newsom witnessed the signing of the agreement.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, and Trade CS Lee Kinyanjui were also present.
“California Governor Gavin Newsom and I witnessed the signing of the California–Africa Climate and Economic Partnership between Kenya and the State of California, U.S., on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York,” President Ruto said in a statement.
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The deal includes the establishment of a Centre of Excellence on Clean Transport Systems in Kenya to drive innovation and knowledge exchange.
According to President Ruto, the agreement also includes sustainable transport, green ports, and climate-smart agriculture, resilient food systems, and renewable energy.
“This partnership focuses on sustainable transport and electric mobility, green ports, climate-smart agriculture and resilient food systems, renewable energy and green infrastructure, digital innovation, and climate adaptation,” Ruto stated.
The Memorandum of Understanding makes Kenya the first African country to sign a deal with California, the world’s fourth-largest economy.
President Ruto flew to the US on Saturday, September 20, for the High-Level Week of the 80th Session of UNGA.
The Head of State, on the sidelines of the event, has held strategic bilateral meetings with global leaders and development partners.
On Wednesday, he held a series of engagements, meeting French President Emmanuel Macron, US Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio, US Senior Adviser for Africa Massad Boulos, and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.
On Tuesday, Ruto held meetings with Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, US Congressman Brian Mast, Estonian President Alar Karis, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
