Nairobi - Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta phoned British Prime Minister Theresa May on Monday and discussed trade and investment, defence and counter-terrorism issues.
The British High Commission in Nairobi confirmed talks between May and Kenyatta, saying in the statement that the Kenyan leader congratulated May after she was appointed to office.
Kenyatta told her that Kenya greatly values its relationship with Britain, which is based on shared values and common interests.
"The Prime Minister underlined Britain's commitment to continuing to build on our ties in a number of important areas such as trade and investment, defence and counter-terrorism," the statement said.
She welcomed Kenya's recent ratification of the Defence Co-operation Agreement (DCA), which is an important element of the two countries' partnership, and provides a platform for future collaboration.
"They ended the call by looking forward to meeting at the earliest opportunity," the statement said.
The new DCA was ratified by the Kenyan Parliament on September 1, allowing for the continuation of British military training in Kenya currently worth US$75 million per year to the Kenyan economy.
The pact is also expected to trigger an enhanced programme of co-operation between the two nations' armed forces. British forces have trained in Nanyuki Town and Samburu County in northwest Kenya since independence, based on agreements that are renewed periodically.
Xinhua