U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry meets with Kenyan political leaders

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has met with Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday in Nairobi as part of his two-day state visit to the East African country.

Bilateral discussions were held between Kerry and Kenyatta at the Kenyan State House focused on regional peace and security which is threatened by terrorism acts mainly perpetrated by the al-Shabaab Islamist sect.

Appreciate UKenyatta & #Kenya's leadership on regional peace, security, #climatechange & efforts against terrorism. pic.twitter.com/edh3LmDgAO

— John Kerry (JohnKerry) August 22, 2016

President Kenyatta said they also took stock of their bilateral relations and exchanged views on how to strengthen their engagements.

We also took stock of our bilateral relations and exchanged views on how to strengthen our engagements. pic.twitter.com/KVcpz0Qx1H

— Uhuru Kenyatta (@UKenyatta) August 22, 2016

John Kerry has also met with other government officials as well as foreign ministers from five East African countries including Kenya’s Foreign Minister Amina Mohamed. They discussed extensively issues of regional security including the South Sudanese situation.

Continued regional cooperation & dialogue is crucial to resolving challenges in #Somalia & #SouthSudan. pic.twitter.com/r2U4m0Z78u

— John Kerry (@JohnKerry) August 22, 2016

The meetings extended to Kenya’s opposition leaders where John Kerry called on all parties including Kenyatta to “commit to free, fair, credible and peaceful elections in 2017”.

Underscored w/ UKenyatta & in mtg w/ opposition leaders need for all parties to commit to free, fair, credible & peaceful elections in 2017

— John Kerry (JohnKerry) August 22, 2016

From Kenya, John Kerry is expected to visit Nigeria on Tuesday.