Jump directly to the content

BREXIT will give an economic boost to the whole world, Theresa May vowed today as she promoted her vision for global Britain in Kenya.

The PM also got a lift from her host as Kenya's prime minister dismissed the idea that Brexit will harm trade.

 Theresa May and Kenya's PM Uhuru Kenyatta in Nairobi today
10
Theresa May and Kenya's PM Uhuru Kenyatta in Nairobi todayCredit: AFOLABII SOTUNDE

Mrs May is concluding a three-day tour of Africa by becoming the first British leader to visit Kenya since Margaret Thatcher.

Speaking alongside the country's PM Uhuru Kenyatta, she described how leaving the EU will allow Britain to work with countries around the globe to strengthen economic links.

The PM said: "We are pursuing , of course, a good deal for trade with the EU once we have left the EU.

"But we will be looking to enhance our trade relationships around the rest of the world as well.

 The two leaders during a press conference in the Kenyan capital
10
The two leaders during a press conference in the Kenyan capitalCredit: AFOLABII SOTUNDE
 Mrs May said Brexit would boost global trade
10
Mrs May said Brexit would boost global tradeCredit: AFOLABII SOTUNDE
Kenya's PM Uhuru Kenyatta forgets Boris Johnson's name during meeting with Theresa May

"Trade isn't about one country doing better than another country, actually, trade is mutually beneficial."

And Mr Kenyatta backed her, saying: “I don’t believe Brexit is going to dent trade and investment between our two countries.

"Brexit doesn’t mean anything detrimental."

As well as holding talks with the Kenyan leader, Mrs May was scheduled to visit British troops helping to train locals against terror groups.

May embarrassed as Kenyan leader mocks Boris Johnson

By Harry Cole in Nairobi

THERESA May’s African trade trip ended in embarrassment after the Kenyan president mocked Boris Johnson and hinted China and America have stolen the march on Britain.

On Tuesday, the Prime Minister dimissed suggestions she had abandoned Africa, claiming the ex-Foreign Secretary had visited many times.

Speaking in Cape Town, Mrs May denied claims she was “late to the party” in her bid to become Africa’s largest investor, saying Boris has visited many times.

She said: “just look at the number of visits the former Foreign Secretary made just last year.”

But at a joint press conference in Narobi today, Kenya's President Kenyatta forgot his name and branded him “the bicycle guy”.

In cringeworthy scenes, he told reporters: “Last year if you recall the then Foreign Secretary Boris... umm Boris... Boris... Johnson. The bicycle guy... was here.”

And he took at dig at Mrs May for being the first PM to visit Kenya in decades, thanking her for coming to see how things has changed.

Instead he namechecked Donald Trump and China as key investment partners alongside Britain and was luke warm about effect of Brexit on trade with the African powerhouse.

Mrs May looked on stony-faced as her Tory rival once again upstaged a key moment, but later supressed a smile when the President rembered the name.

 Theresa May meets British soldiers for lunch - where she saw mine detection training by the British military
10
Theresa May meets British soldiers for lunch - where she saw mine detection training by the British military
 British paedophiles will be targeted with a new security system in Kenya, Mrs May said today
10
British paedophiles will be targeted with a new security system in Kenya, Mrs May said today
 Theresa May is the first Prime Minister for 30 years to visit Kenya
10
Theresa May is the first Prime Minister for 30 years to visit KenyaCredit: AP:Associated Press
Theresa May first PM since Margaret Thatcher to visit Kenya

Margaret Thatcher was the last British PM to tour the country back in 1988 - David Cameron was set to go in 2016 but didn't after he quit following the dramatic Brexit vote in June.

Gordon Brown visited in 2005 as Chancellor.

Last night Mrs May signed a new security deal with Nigeria to train thousands more troops to fight the terror group Boko Haram.

And today she will announce a tie-up with Kenyan authorities to help track down British paedophiles using data from tech firms.

 Margaret Thatcher was the last UK PM to visit the African nation in 1988 - pictured here with the then-Kenyan President Daniel Arap Moi
10
Margaret Thatcher was the last UK PM to visit the African nation in 1988 - pictured here with the then-Kenyan President Daniel Arap MoiCredit: AFP - Getty
 The late PM and husband Denis receiving gifts in Nairobi
10
The late PM and husband Denis receiving gifts in NairobiCredit: ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images
 The Prime Minister was greeted in Kenya today by the country's President Uhuru Kenyatta
10
The Prime Minister was greeted in Kenya today by the country's President Uhuru KenyattaCredit: AFOLABII SOTUNDE
 Mrs May today inspected a guard of honour mounted by members of the Kenya Air Force at the State House in Nairobi
10
Mrs May today inspected a guard of honour mounted by members of the Kenya Air Force at the State House in NairobiCredit: AFOLABII SOTUNDE

Mrs May is giving the Kenyan President a framed map of the London marathon route made by British designer Holly Francesca.

It is personalised with the Kenyan winners of London's most famous annual race, and the historic landmarks along the way.

 

The trip is part of efforts to build a global Britain and maximise trade links ahead of Brexit.

She's already announced £4billion worth of extra financial support for the Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, and has promised to help crack down on illegal human trafficking and Islamic extremism.

Theresa May announces ambitions for Britain to become G7's number one investor in Africa

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368. You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.

Topics