By Magdalene Mukami and Andrew Wasike

NAIROBI, Kenya

The emir of Qatar arrived in the Kenyan capital on Tuesday for a visit focused on strengthening trade between the countries.

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani was greeted at the State House by President Uhuru Kenyatta and a 21-gun salute.

The two leaders then signed agreements on tourism, education, and culture, according to a statement from the State House.

In comments passed to the media, Kenyatta said his nation appreciated Qatari help in developing infrastructure, education, energy, tourism and hospitality projects and called for greater cooperation in the aviation sector.

Thani pledged support for Kenya in countering terrorism and establishing an international financial hub in Nairobi.

“We have historical ties, it’s unfortunate that we couldn’t strengthen those relations,” he said.

“Since your visit to Doha, we have been following up on many things and things have been improving a lot between our two countries. Kenya is a very strategic region for our country.”

Thani is on a tour of Ethiopia, Kenya and South Africa to enhance ties in the region.