Deputy president Kithure Kindiki bids goodbye to Finnish president Alexander Stubb and his wife Suzanne Ines-Stubb at JKIA on May 14, 2025/DPCSDeputy President Kithure Kindiki on Wednesday saw off President of Finland Alexander Stubb at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
The Finnish president, who was with his wife, Suzanne Ines-Stubb, was in Kenya for a three-day state visit.
On Monday, Kindiki received the Stubbs at the airport on behalf of President William Ruto.
This was the first presidential visit from Finland, to celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Stubb said he was surprised that despite Kenya and Finland having good relations for over six decades, no President had made a point of visiting.
“First, there has never been a state visit by a Finnish President, which I was quite baffled about because we have had good relations for over 60 years and we've been quite close countries.
“Secondly, I met your President at a peace conference in Switzerland last summer, and I said can I come and knock on your and he invited me,” he said.
While in the country, Ruto and Stubb signed memoranda of understanding on political consultations, and peace mediation and conflict resolution are aimed at strengthening ties between Kenya and Finland.
Ruto said Kenya is committed to deepening bilateral cooperation with the Nordic country for the mutual benefit of citizens of the two nations.
“We look forward to strengthening existing collaboration and exploring new opportunities to elevate our cooperation to a strategic level,” he said.
