Finnish president set for state visit to Kenya

The president of Finland is set to visit Kenya to commemorate 60 years of diplomatic relations between Nairobi and the Scandinavian nation.

In a statement from the Finnish Embassy in Nairobi, President Alexander Stubb and his spouse, Suzanne Innes-Stubb, will be in the country soon, in what will be the first presidential visit from Finland to Kenya.

“President of the Republic of Finland Alexander Stubb and his spouse Suzanne Innes-Stubb will pay a state visit to the Republic of Kenya to celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations between,” the statement reads.

Timeline

The state visit will begin on May 12, 2025, at the State House and end on May 14, 2025, after the two heads of state have discussed the bilateral relations between Finland and Kenya, global challenges and their impact in Africa and Europe, and cooperation in support of the multilateral system.

The talks will be followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at Uhuru Gardens. In the evening, the presidential couple will be hosted by President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto at a state banquet.

The Finnish president will also meet several leaders of Non-Governmental organisations, civil society groups and international policy experts during his visit and conduct discussions centred on social development and regional dynamics.

“President Stubb will visit the University of Nairobi, where he will give a speech on geopolitics and the transformation of the multilateral order, followed by a discussion with students. In addition, the President will attend the closing event of the EU-Kenya Business Forum, where he will deliver a keynote speech. The President’s agenda also features a business seminar organised by Business Finland, focusing on the built environment and the health sector,” a statement from the Finnish presidency notes.

Visit Kawangware

President Stubb is expected to visit Kawangware, where the Kenyan government and its Finnish counterpart have partnered to enhance digital connectivity.

He will also tour a Vocational Training institution where he will seek to understand key areas of cooperation with the Kenyan government for relevant skills training for the marketplace.

“The official programme includes a visit to a technical education institution and a company offering vocational training, both involved in a project funded by the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs to strengthen the quality and labour market relevance of vocational training,” the statement adds.

The visit comes just weeks after their Majesties, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Kingdom of the Netherlands completed the state tour of the country between March 18, 2025 and March 20, 2025.