France to continue helping Kenya fight terrorism — envoy

France Ambassador to Kenya Rémi Maréchaux during a past function. France will continue working with Kenya to fight terrorists and promote socio-economic development in both countries. PHOTO | DIANA NGILA | NATION MEDIA GROUP 

In Summary

• French Ambassador to Kenya Rémi Maréchaux said the two countries suffer similar problems like terrorist attacks that have moved them to forge closer partnerships.
• He noted that France is increasingly collaborating with the Kenyan intelligence services and they are sharing ideas on how they can address terrorism in the two countries.

By REBECCA OKWANY
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France will continue working with Kenya to fight terrorists and promote socio-economic development in both countries.

French Ambassador to Kenya Rémi Maréchaux said the two countries suffer similar problems like terrorist attacks that have moved them to forge closer partnerships.

“Two months ago Paris was struck by a terrorist attack much in the same way as Kenya has suffered. We are confronted with the same mechanism of radicalisation and attacks which bring us together,” said Mr Maréchaux.

“Kenya is fighting Al-Shabaab on its soil as well as in Somalia. France is fighting ISIS on its soil as well as in Syria,” he added.

He noted that France is increasingly collaborating with the Kenyan intelligence services and they are sharing ideas on how they can address terrorism in the two countries.

France, through the European Union, is also supporting African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom) troops in Somalia, he added.

He was speaking to students during a lecture on bilateral relations between France and Kenya at Aga Khan Academy on Friday.

Mr Maréchaux added that the two countries are also working together in restoring stability in Somalia, Burundi and South Sudan.

ECONOMIC TIES

Besides, the envoy said Kenya and France have also partnered in developing their economies through trade and forging business partnerships.

He said the number of French companies investing in Kenya has rapidly risen to 70 from only two four years ago.

Mr Maréchaux added that France has also partnered with Kenyan universities to promote student exchange programmes and develop a new curriculum in tandem with the developments going on in the country.

“Kenya is soon going to be an oil-producing country that will need new experts. A French university has partnered with the University of Nairobi to have a master's programme in geoscience,” he added.

He was accompanied by Herve Lenormand, the director of Alliance Francaise in Mombasa, and Jean-Pierrs Tutin, the head of cooperation and cultural affairs.