The First Vice Speaker Oleksandr Korniienko paid a working visit to the Republic of Kenya
On 30-31 October, the First Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Oleksandr Korniienko paid a working visit to the Republic of Kenya. The delegation also included Olha Rudenko, a member of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Foreign Policy and Interparliamentary Cooperation.
During the visit, the First Vice-Speaker held a number of working meetings and took part in events.
In particular, Oleksandr Korniienko had the opportunity to talk about the working visit of the Ukrainian side in interviews with The Star, Kenya and KBC Channel 1 TV. “We want the international community to join in decisive actions for a just victory that will become one of the foundations of security and peace in the world. This is the Peace Formula of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi,” he said, noting that the Ukrainian peace plan provides for the withdrawal of all russian troops from the territory of Ukraine, accountability for crimes to prevent the repetition of aggressions anywhere, food, radiation, nuclear and energy security, as well as the return of all prisoners of war and deportees.
Meeting with representatives of the National Assembly and Kenyan parliamentarians
The First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine began his working visit to the Republic of Kenya with a meeting with representatives of the National Assembly and Kenyan parliamentarians. In particular, with the Leader of the Majority in the Parliament, Silvanus Osoro, and the Deputy Leader of the Minority, Member of the Committee on Agriculture and Livestock, Sabina Chege.
“We are interested in deepening our interparliamentary cooperation. We are looking forward to receiving good news about the establishment of an inter-parliamentary friendship group with Ukraine in the Parliament of Kenya in the near future,” Oleksandr Korniienko said.
The parties also discussed a number of important topics. First of all, support for Ukraine and the implementation of the Peace Formula of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi. “We are looking forward to bringing the plan to the global level by forming a coalition of like-minded countries that could become leaders/co-leaders in promoting the plan’s points,” the First Vice Speaker said.
He also informed about the current situation with food security and stressed the importance of joining international efforts aimed at strengthening global food security and ensuring uninterrupted food exports from Ukraine.
In addition, the First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine called on the Kenyan side to adopt a resolution recognising the Holodomor of 1932-1933 as genocide of the Ukrainian people.
“We count on Kenya’s support for our sovereignty and territorial integrity within the UN and other international organisations,” Oleksandr Korniienko stressed, expressing hope that Kenya would continue to support Ukraine, building on the good traditions of friendship and cooperation.
Meeting with the Minister of Defence of Kenya Aden Duale
The parties discussed the current situation in Ukraine, particularly on the battlefield, and cooperation in the military context.
“It is important that Kenya is one of the four African countries that have joined the defence contact group with Ukraine,” said First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Oleksandr Korniienko.
At the same time, he noted that in order to defend its freedom, Ukraine needs a constant supply of military equipment and ammunition. “There are always needs. We appreciate any help at this time, which is one of the main factors for a just victory and peace,” said Oleksandr Korniienko.
The First Vice Speaker also emphasised the readiness to intensify military-technical cooperation between Ukraine and Kenya.
Meeting with the President of the Kenya Chamber of Commerce and Industry
During the meeting with the President of the Kenya Chamber of Commerce and Industry Erick Ruto, Oleksandr Korniienko discussed the main areas of cooperation, in particular, in the areas of agriculture and IT.
The First Vice Speaker noted that despite the ongoing unjustified and unprovoked russian aggression against our country, Ukraine is determined to continue supporting Kenya in strengthening its food security.
“Among the important initiatives between the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of our countries are the exchange of business missions, updating the Memorandum of Understanding between the two Chambers, as well as the possible appointment of a representative of the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Kenya,” he said.
In addition, Oleksandr Korniienko personally demonstrated the Diia app during the meeting: “The state has a strong potential for its development. This is just one example of powerful Ukrainian IT technologies.”
Finally, he invited the leadership of the Kenya Chamber of Commerce and Industry to Kyiv, which would be an opportunity to agree on new ways of cooperation.
Honouring the memory of servicemen during a visit to the East African War Memorial
As part of their working visit, the First Vice Speaker Oleksandr Korniienko and member of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Foreign Policy and Interparliamentary Cooperation Olha Rudenko paid tribute to the memory of the servicemen of the army who were killed during the advance from the south to Italian Somalia and Ethiopia and during the occupation of these territories, those who died during the fighting in Madagascar in 1942, as well as the memory of those who died during the sinking of the warship Khedive Ismail on the way to Ceylon in 1944.
The military cemetery consists of several thousand graves, with a separate memorial to the missing. There are 12 columns in two rows and a high slab: “1939-1945. These columns bear the names of 2,400 men and women of many races, united in the service of the British Crown, who gave their lives in Italian Somalia, Southern Ethiopia, Kenya and Madagascar and who were denied a known and honoured grave by the fortunes of war.”