President Uhuru Jets Out of the Country for a Three-Day Official Trip to Cuba

President Uhuru Kenyatta has on Tuesday jetted out of the country for a three-day visit to Cuba, where he will seek a helping hand for his universal healthcare policy, one of his "Big Four Agenda" in his final term.

This will be the first time the Head of State is visiting the Caribbean region since he entered office in 2013. It will also be the first tour by a Kenyan President since Kenya and the Island nation established diplomatic relations 18 years ago.

In a statement on Monday, State House Spokesman Manoah Esipisu said the President will seek health, sports and culture cooperation with the Caribbean country during his trip.

“Cuba has a well-developed health sector which has achieved great milestones such as discovery of vaccines against lung cancer, and the eradication of malaria. Cuba is also home to a thriving pharmaceutical industry,” State House Spokesman Manoah Esipisu said.

“There is a great opportunity during the President's visit for the two nations to expand the MoU on implementation for the achievement of universal healthcare, an important deliverable in President Kenyatta’s Big Four agenda,” Mr Esipisu added, referring to an agreement signed between Kenya and Cuba last year.

Cuba is one of the countries in the world where citizens receive free health services including; check-ups, surgery, medical dispensing and doctor visitations.

“The President will explore how to build Kenyan capacity, increase the number of medical specialists in orthopaedic surgery, oncology, neurology, and trauma management; and collaborate in research on cancer and diabetes drugs, and eradication of malaria,” State House said on Monday.

“Cuba is interested in registering and selling its pharmaceutical products in the Kenyan market. It is also keen to cooperate in vector control."