Terrorism a big issue, both Kenya and India will work closely to deal with challenges, says Kenyan President Ruto

Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto, who is on a three-day visit to India, on Wednesday said that terrorism is a big issue for Kenya and India and both the countries have agreed that our defence forces will work in collaboration to deal with the challenge of terrorism.At the joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Ruto said, "Terrorism is a big issue both for Kenya and India and we've agreed that our defence forces will work together in collaboration, sharing information, sharing experience, sharing knowledge and intelligence to make sure that we deal with the challenge of terrorism."He said that 70 per cent of health commodities in Kenya have their origin in India and he and PM Modi discussed how manufacturing of some of these commodities can be started in Kenya, not just to help the Kenyan market but also the East African and the African market."I have also assured PM Modi that 70 per cent of health commodities in Kenya, have their origin in India, and we appreciate the partnership and the support and we have discussed how we can begin to manufacture some of these commodities in Kenya, not just for the Kenyan market but for the East African and the African market, and it will be mutually beneficial for companies," added Ruto.He said India has been immensely useful to Kenya, especially in the marine space."I have thanked PM Modi for the support of India in the research and documentation of resources in the Indian Ocean that are related and relevant to Kenya...," said the Kenyan President.Talking about East Africa, Ruto said that he discussed with PM Modi the security situation in Sudan and Somalia and pledged to work together to stabilize and secure the region."I have explained to PM Modi about our situation in, East Africa, challenges we have of security in Sudan, in Somalia, and we are going to work together to see how we can stabilize and secure that region for the mutual benefit of the people living in the global south," Ruto added.He said he also shared his experience of delivery of affordable housing in Kenya with PM Modi and how the country was learning from India in that aspect."I have also shared with him (PM) our experience, especially in the delivery of affordable housing and learning from the great experience in this country on delivery of affordable housing, working on slum upgrading and ensuring that citizens have decent houses and live in dignity that we are cutting out the same in Kenya following in the example of India," added Ruto.With inputs from agencies