National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has called for the establishment of direct flights between Kenya and Algeria.
Speaking on Monday during an official visit to the North African country, Wetang’ula said the move will bolster trade in tea, coffee, fruits as well as oil and petroleum.
The Speaker, who was hosted by the President of the National People’s Assembly Ibrahim Boughalim, further acknowledged the support Algeria accorded Kenya when the country was rooting for a seat in the UN Security Council.
“Kenya and Algeria have shared history traced from our forefathers who fought for Africa’s liberation. I am glad that we continue to pull together with the aim of lifting the lives of our people”, said Wetang’ula.
He has said that unity between Kenya and Algeria will go a long way to stabilise Africa by tackling bottlenecks that exist in security, trade, education, health and agriculture among others.
The President of the Council of the Nation at the Senate Salah Goudjil underscored the need for the two countries to cement their bilateral and parliamentary diplomatic engagements.
“Africa has come of age to be independent and solve her own problems by using her well-endowed natural resources,” he said.
Wetang’ula said that there is a need to put to proper use the natural resources of the African countries to help build the African economy for greater socio–economic development for Africa.
Speaker Wetang’ula encouraged synergy and collaboration among the two Houses of Parliament in Algeria siting similar working relations in Kenya as both are bi-cameral systems of parliament.
Wetang’ula further called for the enforcement of African free trade to enable the free movement of commodities across Africa.
Boughali acknowledged the warm gesture for Speaker Wetang’ula who accepted his invitation to visit Algeria.
He indicated that his Parliament was open to proposals that could enhance working relationships between the Houses of the two countries.
He added that he was delighted to receive the Kenyan delegation which he said was an indication of sustainable engagements between the two countries.
