Macron swaps diplomacy for Ugali, cooks with Ombachi

France President Emmanuel Macron cooking Ugali with roaming Chef Ombachi on May 10 / SCREENGRAB

French President Emmanuel Macron has sparked online buzz after he was seen preparing a traditional Kenyan meal with roaming chef Dennis Ombachi in Nairobi, in one of the more light-hearted moments of his visit for the Africa Forward Summit.

In a video circulating on social media, Macron is captured in an outdoor kitchen setting at night alongside Ombachi, where the two prepared Ugali and Sukuma wiki in what appeared to be a relaxed cultural exchange during his stay in Kenya.

The French leader is seen briefly stirring ugali before handing over the cooking process to Ombachi, who then guided him through the preparation of sukuma wiki.

The moment quickly drew attention online for its informal and symbolic celebration of Kenyan cuisine.

Ombachi, a former rugby player turned chef, has over the years built a strong online following through his balcony cooking sessions, where he prepares meals while engaging with fans, celebrities and public figures.

His shift from professional rugby to culinary content creation has made him one of Kenya’s most recognisable food personalities.

In this rare collaboration, Ombachi moved away from his usual balcony setting, hosting the French President in a more formal but still relaxed outdoor cooking arrangement.

Macron’s appearance in the kitchen comes amid a packed official schedule in Kenya following his arrival on Sunday.

He was received by President William Ruto ahead of the Africa Forward Summit, which has already brought together heads of state, investors and global stakeholders in Nairobi.

Earlier, Macron held bilateral talks with President Ruto at State House, where the two leaders signed 11 agreements aimed at strengthening cooperation between Kenya and France in areas including transport, energy, digital transformation and trade.

“Kenya is deeply honoured to host this summit, the first to be held outside France or a Francophone African country in more than five decades,” Ruto said during the engagements.

Beyond official meetings, Macron has also been seen engaging in informal activities, including a morning jog with marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge on the streets of Nairobi, further adding a human touch to his diplomatic visit.

The cooking moment with Ombachi adds to a series of cultural interactions that have defined Macron’s stay, blending diplomacy with everyday Kenyan experiences as the summit continues.