[PHOTOS] Raila, Oka principals meet at State House dinner, Ruto a no show

In Summary

• The Hungarian President arrived in the country on Sunday for a four-day State visit.

• Uhuru hailed the strong bilateral ties between Kenya and Hungary.

by TRACY MUTINDA Lifestyle, Entertainment Writer

18 January 2022 - 09:45

Kenyan leaders attend the state banquet for visiting Hungarian President János Áder and his spouse Anita Herczegh at State House, Nairobi on January 17, 2021.
Image: PSCU

President Uhuru Kenyatta and First Lady Margaret Kenyatta on Monday night hosted Hungarian President János Áder, his spouse Anita Herczegh and some Kenyan leaders at State House in Nairobi.

President Kenyatta during a state banquet he hosted together with First Lady Margaret Kenyatta for visiting Hungarian President János Áder and his spouse Anita Herczegh at State House, Nairobi on January 17, 2021.
Image: PSCU

The Hungarian President arrived in the country on Sunday for a four-day State Visit.

Some of the leaders who attended the state banquet are ODM leader Raila Odinga, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, ANC party leader Musalia Mudavadi, Kanu chairman Gideon Moi and Ford-K leader Moses Wetang'ula.

Others included; Transport CS James Macharia, ICT CS Joe Mucheru, Chief Justice Martha Koome, among others.

Deputy President William Ruto was conspicuously absent from the event.

Ford Kenya party leader Moses Wetangula and Nairobi Governor Ann Kananu among Kenyan leaders who attended the state banquet for visiting Hungarian President János Áder and his spouse Anita Herczegh at State House, Nairobi on January 17, 2021.
Image: PSCU

During the state banquet, Uhuru hailed the strong bilateral ties between Kenya and Hungary, saying the relationship is driven largely by economic cooperation, trade and investments.

ODM party leader Raila Odinga and Foreign Affairs CS Raychelle Omamo among Kenyan leaders who attended the state banquet for visiting Hungarian President János Áder and his spouse Anita Herczegh at State House, Nairobi on January 17, 2021.
Image: PSCU

ANC party leader Musalia Mudavadi and ICT CS Joe Mucheru among Kenyan leaders who attended the state banquet for visiting Hungarian President János Áder and his spouse Anita Herczegh at State House, Nairobi on January 17, 2021.
Image: PSCU

At the same time, Uhuru regretted the low volumes of trade and investment flow between Nairobi and Budapest over the last five decades despite the existing huge commercial potential.

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta Hungary First Lady Anita Herczegh at State House, Nairobi on January 17, 2021.
Image: PSCU

"To address the low trade volumes, we have to intensify efforts to promote greater linkages and networks between the private sector and business communities in the two countries; and encourage them to take advantage of the economic opportunities existing in our respective countries,” he said.

The Head State also said Kenya was counting on the support of Hungary to unlock the economic partnership agreement between the East African Community and the European Union.

Hungarian President János Áder during a state banquet hosted by President Uhuru Kenyatta together with First Lady Margaret Kenyatta at State House, Nairobi on January 17, 2021.
Image: PSCU

“Kenya looks forward to the signing of the Economic Partnership Agreement between the East African Community and the European Union to open up greater trading and economic opportunities,” President Kenyatta said.

President Kenyatta together with First Lady Margaret Kenyatta biding Hungarian President János Áder and his spouse Anita Herczegh goodbye at State House, Nairobi on January 17, 2021.
Image: PSCU

President Kenyatta together with Hungarian President János Áder during the state banquet at State House, Nairobi on January 17, 2021.
Image: PSCU

President Kenyatta speaking during a state banquet he hosted together with First Lady Margaret Kenyatta for visiting Hungarian President János Áder and his spouse Anita Herczegh at State House, Nairobi on January 17, 2021.
Image: PSCU