By Andrew Wasike

NAIROBI, Kenya (AA): Israel’s Foreign Minister Eli Cohen held talks in Kenya, just a few days after an Africa tour by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.

In a statement after having talks with Kenyan President William Ruto and Foreign Minister Alfred Mutua, Cohen said: “Against the background of Iran’s attempts to increase its influence in Africa, it is especially important that we tighten ties in the neighboring continent and strengthen Israel’s position ”

Cohen’s brief visit to Kenya which lasted around 10 hours also aimed to strengthen ties with Africa in light of “Iran’s efforts to increase its presence and influence on the continent,” according to the statement.

After meeting Ruto, the Israeli foreign minister thanks the Kenyan government “for their efforts to promote Israel’s position on the continent and to open doors for the State of Israel in countries on the continent with which we do not yet have diplomatic relations.”

On Sunday, Cohen also held talks with other African leaders including those from Mauritania, Niger, and Mali who were in Kenya to attend the African Union summit.

Mutua, for his part, issued a statement saying that, in the meeting with Cohen, “we canvassed the implementation of acceptance of Kenyan agricultural products to Israel under the same qualification for European Union.”

Last week, Kenya signed 22 memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with Iran following bilateral talks between Ruto and Raisi.

While in Uganda and Zimbabwe, Raisi signed agreements that include those on energy and communications among others.

[Photo: Kenyan President William Ruto (R) receives Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi (L) at a welcoming ceremony in Nairobi, Kenya on July 12, 2023.