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Johannesburg - Issues relating to regional stability reportedly took centre stage during President Jacob Zuma's just ended state visit to kenya, but a report says the visit left "a bitter taste in every Kenyan's mouth".
Kenya's Daily Nation on Thursday reported that Zuma's visit to the east African country had left "a bitter taste in every Kenyan's mouth".
Many Kenyans had expected the issue of visa rules imposed on Kenyan travellers to be ironed out.
In July 2015, South Africa's controversial visa regulations, which required Kenyans to submit applications for clearance to travel and wait for seven working days to confirm whether a visa would be issued was described as a violation of bilateral agreement between the two countries.
"The expectations attached to the trip were simple: the visa rules imposed on Kenyan travellers had to be change very fast.
"What Kenyans got was, however, a promise to 'consider' the request officially handed in by his host, President Uhuru Kenyatta," the report said.
Bilateral and economic relations
According to a statement by the presidency, touching on the issue of migration between South Africa and Kenya, Zuma revealed that further talks would be conducted regarding the issues of non-tariff barriers to assist economic activities.
"Further discussions will be taking place between the two countries on the issues of migration and non-tariff barriers to trade and also how we can remove obstacles that have hindered such activities," Zuma was quoted as saying.
Zuma reiterated his commitment to peace and security in the eastern region of the continent, particularly where terror was concerned.
Zuma and his Kenyan counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta also discussed various other issues of importance while heightening bilateral and economic relations between the nations.
The horn of Africa, has for years been battling the issue of terrorism, with al-Qaeda aligned Islamist group al-Shabaab carrying endless attacks in Somalia and Kenya.
The two countries signed various agreements and Memoranda of Understanding, including an Agreement on Visa Waiver for diplomatic and official passport holders; an Agreement on Military Training, Visits and Technical Assistance; Agreement on Mutual Assistance between Customs Administration; Memorandum of Understanding on issues of Police Co-operation; Memorandum of Understanding in the field of Biodiversity Conservation and Management as well as a Memorandum of Understanding on Lamu-Port Southern Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor.
