Havana, March 13 (RHC)-- Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta is set to begin an official three-day visit to Cuba on Wednesday.

This is the first visit to Cuba by a Kenyan head of state since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 2001. It will also be the first time that President Kenyatta will be visiting the Latin American and Caribbean region since he took office in 2013.

During his stay, which runs through Saturday, the Kenyan leader will hold talks with Cuban authorities and will open the embassy of the African nation in Cuba. The embassy of Kenya in Havana is set to open on Friday, March 16th.

An official communique issued by the Kenyan government said the agenda of the trip includes boosting cooperation in areas like healthcare, sports and culture.

“Cuba has a well-developed health sector which has achieved great milestones such as discovery of vaccines against lung cancer, and the eradication of malaria. Cuba is also home to a thriving pharmaceutical industry,” State House Spokesman Manoah Esipisu said.

Kenya’s infant mortality rate is 37 out of 1,000 live births while the life expectancy is 62.