King Charles III, Queen set for Kenyan visit

By Peter Ochieng 

United Kingdom (UK) King Charles III is set for a four-day official visit to Kenya.

According to a message from the Royal Family, shared by the UK High Commission in Kenya, the visit will take place from Tuesday 31st October to Friday 3rd November 2023.

It will, according to the statement, celebrate the warm relationship between the two countries and the strong and dynamic partnership they continue to forge.

"The visit is at the invitation of president William Ruto and comes as Kenya prepares to celebrate 60 years of independence. His Majesty’s first visit to a Commonwealth nation as King is therefore to the country in which Queen Elizabeth II’s reign began, having acceded to the throne in Kenya in February 1952," reads the communication, seen by Nairobi Review.

The King will be accompanied by among others, his wife, wife Queen Camilla, with Nairobi and Mombasa named as some of the places they will visit.

"The King and Queen will visit Nairobi City County, Mombasa County and surrounding areas. Their Majesties’ programme will reflect the ways in which Kenya and the United Kingdom are working together, notably to boost mutual prosperity, tackle climate change, promote youth opportunity and employment, advance sustainable development and create a more stable and secure region."

"During the visit, Their Majesties will meet President Ruto and the First Lady as well as and other members of the Kenyan Government, UN staff, CEOs, faith leaders, young people, future leaders and Kenyan Marines training with UK Royal Marines. The King will also attend an event to celebrate the life and work of the Nobel Laureate the late Professor Wangari Maathai, together with Wangari’s daughter, Wanjira Mathai," the statemen adds.

"The King and Queen’s programme will celebrate the close links between the British and Kenyan people in areas such as the creative arts, technology, enterprise, education and innovation. The visit will also acknowledge the more painful aspects of the UK and Kenya’s shared history, including the Emergency (1952-1960)."

"His Majesty will take time during the visit to deepen his understanding of the wrongs suffered in this period by the people of Kenya. Together, Their Majesties will tour a new museum dedicated to Kenya’s history and will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior at Uhuru Gardens, as well as visiting the site of the declaration of Kenya’s independence in 1963."

The King and Queen will have a packed programme in the country, which will include visiting a commonwealth war graves commission cemetery, joining British and Kenyan military personnel in an act of remembrance, before hearing about the Commission’s recent work to ensure all those who supported Britain’s efforts in both world wars are commemorated.