President Uhuru Kenyatta has agreed with his Somaliland counterpart Muse Bihi that Kenya will build a consulate in Hargeisa in 2021.
The consulate is expected to be up and functioning by the end of March 2021.
In a joint address to the press in Nairobi, on Tuesday, December 15, Uhuru and Bihi also disclosed that Somaliland would upgrade its Liaison Office in Nairobi.
This also is set to be done within the same time frame ending March 2021.
Following this bilateral deal, Kenya Airways and other local airlines have been cleared to commence direct flights between Nairobi and Hargeisa by the end of March 2021.
The development comes amid an alarmingly fallout between Kenya and Somalia as far as diplomatic ties are concerned.
Somalia, On Tuesday, December 2020, recalled its envoys from Kenya and ordered Kenyan envoys in Somalia to leave within seven days.
Shortly after the happening, tension escalated in Northern Kenya border towns with Somalia.
Locals reported that they had witnessed Somalia National Army (SNA) soldiers being deployed at Mandera common borders, fully with their technical combat vehicles.
Uhuru indicated that the advanced relationship between Kenya and Somaliland were hinged on fostering peace, growth and shared prosperity between the two countries.
“Senior officials on a pre-determined list and travelling to Kenya on Somaliland travel documents to apply for e-visa and receive visa on arrival by end of March 2021,†read the joint communique by the two heads of states.
The heads of states also called government officials from both sides to fast track the enhancement of technical cooperation, not excluding implementation of Exchange Programmes involving students, agricultural officers, doctors, nurses and other professionals.