President Uhuru Kenyatta is in Botswana for a three-day state visit at the invitation of his host President Ian Khama.

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Kenyatta left this morning for the Southern African country in a visit ‘geared towards boosting trade and bilateral relations between Kenya and Botswana’ according to a statement by the PSCU.

This is the first time Kenyatta is traveling to the country whose foreign affairs minister then Phandu Skeleman gave a caution that President Kenyatta should not step on Botswana’s soil if he would not cooperate with the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Phandu said that Uhuru not cooperating with the ICC would indicate that he was not abiding by the rule of law.

He, however, made a U-turn on the ban shortly thereafter saying Kenyatta was free to visit as he is innocent until proven guilty.

Skelemani had told the country’s publication Mmegi that Kenyatta must not set foot in his country if he refused to cooperate with the ICC.

“This is to retract my earlier statement about the President-elect of Kenya. Mr Uhuru Kenyatta is more than welcome to visit Botswana. Botswana is cognisant of a section of the law that says one is innocent until proven guilty,” he said in a statement.

Skelemani’s statement further said he appreciated Kenyatta’s compliance with the ICC since the beginning of the hearings.

“I apologise to the Kenyan people for my earlier statement and wish to maintain that Kenya and Botswana have always worked together and nothing will change that,” he said.

Kenya had described as “contemptuous” Skelemani’s statement.

According to the Nation, the then Government Spokesman Muthui Kariuki said Kenya, like Botswana, is a signatory to the Rome Statute and would continue to undertake its obligations but will not be bullied.

“The government finds the statement contemptuous. We know what is required of us and will continue to respect that position,” he said.

President Kenyatta and his delegation left shortly after 8am where he was seen off at the airport by Deputy President William Ruto and other senior government officials.