YEAR ENDER: Presidents, prominent leaders who visited Kenya

President William Ruto has set tongues wagging as Kenya's head of State who travelled most within a year after taking power, compared to his predecessor.

But even as Kenyans question his Modus Operandi as far as his foreign travel is concerned, Ruto has defended his foreign tours terming them as strategic.

Apart from using travel to forge bilateral relations, the President has also described his foreign tours as an opportunity to market Kenyan products and create jobs for his people abroad, among other things.

At the same time, President Ruto has played host to high-profile visits of foreign presidents and heads of government.

Here is the breakdown of the visits:

King Charles III and Queen Camilla

King Charles III and Queen Camilla landed in Nairobi on October 31, 2023, for a four-day state visit.

Kenya was the first Commonwealth country the two visited since ascending to the throne.

The visit was aimed at celebrating the warm relationship between the two countries and the strong and dynamic partnership they continue to forge.

The King and Queen visited Nairobi City County, Mombasa County, and surrounding areas.

Their program reflected on how Kenya and the United Kingdom are working together to boost mutual prosperity, tackle climate change, promote youth opportunity and employment, advance sustainable development, and create a more stable and secure region.

Sergio Mattarella (Italy)

Italian President Sergio Mattarella visited Kenya in March for a four-day official visit.

Matarella held bilateral talks with President William Ruto, where several MoUs were signed.

According to former Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua, the visit will help promote the development of key sectors such as water, agriculture, and tourism in the country.

Mattarella also held a public lecture on climate change at the University of Nairobi.

Joko Widodo (Indonesia)

President William Ruto in August played host to his Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo at State House.

This was President Widodo's first visit to Africa where he visited Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, and South Africa.

He said his country and Africa have had a long historical relationship which can be seen in several major moments in history.

The visit also involved bilateral agreements focused on economic partnerships and deals aimed at promoting and strengthening relations and empowering the people.

Olaf Scholz (Germany)

In May, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz was hosted at State House, Nairobi by President William Ruto. 

The two discussed areas touch on renewable energies, as Germany is considering Kenya to be a key economic partner.

Scholz was in Africa for a three-day visit that would see him visit Ethiopia and Kenya.

Klaus Iohannis (Romania)

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis and First Lady Carmen Georgeta Iohannis visited Kenya in November 2023.

The two were received by President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto at State House, Nairobi.

Iohannis was on a tour of Africa where he also visited four African countries including Kenya, Tanzania, Cabo Verde, and Senegal between November 14-23.

The Romanian president held bilateral talks with Ruto and the UNEP executive director Inger Andersen at the United Nations Office in Nairobi. 

The visiting President also signed environmental and political cooperation, agreements and also inaugurated a school and a Romanian development assistance program donation. 

Ebrahim Raisi (Iran)

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in July visited Kenya where he met President William Ruto.

Raisi was during the visit and as is tradition, he was honored with a 21-gun salute, at State House, Nairobi.

Before his arrival, his visit was marred with confusion as it was delayed by one more day.

Raisi was in Kenya for talks aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries. He also visited Uganda and Zimbabwe.

Kishida Fumio (Japan Prime Minister)

Japan Prime Minister Kishida Fumio visited Kenya in May 2023. Kenya was the third country he was visiting after Egypt and Ghana.

He was received at State House, Nairobi, for a meeting with President William Ruto. 

The two held talks aimed at strengthening ties between the two nations.

Lee Hsien Loong (Singapore Prime Minister)

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong also visited Kenya in May 2023. He was hosted by President William Ruto where they held high-level talks that revolved around ways of fostering trade and investment facilitation between the two nations.

Loong was accompanied by several ministers from his administration led by Vivian Balakrishnan (Foreign Affairs).

Several MoUs were also signed during the meeting, between the two countries.

Petr Fiala (Czech Republic Prime Minister)

Czech Republic Prime Minister Petr Fiala was in Kenya in November 2023, for a three-day official visit. 

During his visit, Fiala held bilateral engagements with several senior state officials and was later hosted at the State House by President William Ruto.

The visit culminated in the signing of several bilateral agreements between the two countries.

Isaias Afwerki (Eritrea)

In February, Eritrea President Isaias Afwerki` visited Kenya for the first time in 11 years. He was in Kenya for a two-day state visit and was hosted by President William Ruto at State House, Nairobi.

Afwerki was accompanied by Foreign Minister Osman Saleh and Presidential Adviser Yemane Ghebreab.

Ruto had earlier on visited Eritrea.

Salva Kiir (South Sudan)

President William Ruto hosted his counterpart from South Sudan Salva Kiir in August. The two leaders met at State House Nairobi.

Top in their discussion was bilateral relations on trade and regional security.

João Lourenço (Angola)

In October, President William Ruto hosted Angolan President João Lourenço at State House, Nairobi.

Lourenço was accompanied by First Lady Ana Dias Lourenço.

Before the meeting, the Angolan head of state was set to be the chief guest in the 2023 Mashujaa Day celebrations, but he did not show up.