Top envoys, Amref boss pay Uhuru courtesy visits

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta and outgoing US Chargé d’Affaires Marc Dillard at his residence in Nairobi, July 10, 2025. /OFPP

In a quiet but telling show of continued global engagement, former President Uhuru Kenyatta opened his doors to three high-profile guests at his residence on Thursday, reflecting a statesman still deeply tethered to international diplomacy and development conversations.

The former head of state, who retired in 2022, received separate courtesy visits from outgoing US Chargé d’Affaires Marc Dillard, Amref Health Africa Group CEO Dr Githinji Gitahi, and Dr Annette Weber, the European Union’s Special Representative for the Horn of Africa.

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta and Dr Annette Weber, when the EU Special Representative for the Horn of Africa, paid the former President courtesy call at his residence in Nairobi on July 10, 2025. / OFPP

The meetings, though informal, underscored the enduring trust and relevance Uhuru commands in diplomatic and regional affairs circles, particularly given his current standing as the AU-Kenya Peace Envoy and Facilitator of the EAC-Led Nairobi Peace Process.

For many observers, it was a reminder that leadership doesn’t end with office, especially for a man who once stood at the helm of East Africa’s most influential nation.

There were no grand podiums or roaring motorcades, just a former President and his visitors, discussing matters that still matter.

While official statements on the content of the conversations remain guarded, the presence of figures like Dr Weber, tasked with navigating one of Africa’s most complex geopolitical regions, hints at ongoing consultations on peace, stability, and integration.

Marc Dillard’s visit marked the end of his diplomatic tenure in Kenya, a period that saw strong US-Kenya cooperation across health, security, and governance.

Marc Dillard’s visit marked the end of his diplomatic tenure in Kenya /OFPP

His call on Uhuru appeared to be both a farewell and a gesture of respect.

Meanwhile, Dr Githinji’s presence spoke to another of Uhuru's post-presidency passions — public health.

As Amref’s top executive and a leading voice in African health policy, Githinji likely found in Uhuru a willing listener and potential ally on issues such as universal health coverage, a cause the former President championed during his final term.

Dr Githinji Gitahi’s presence spoke to another of Uhuru's post-presidency passions — public health. /OFPP

Though retired from active politics, Uhuru has not retreated from the stage.

Whether mediating conflicts in the Great Lakes Region or conferring with global actors, his role as an elder statesman seems to be quietly taking shape.

In a country often fixated on noisy power plays and headline-grabbing politics, the day’s visits offered a subtle reminder: influence can also reside in calm rooms, behind closed doors — where handshakes still carry weight and conversation can shape a continent’s course.