Kindiki receives Finland’s President Stubb as he begins Kenya tour
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki on Monday, May 12, 2025, officially received Finland President Alexander Stubb ahead of his three-day state visit to Kenya.
The Finnish president landed at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport alongside his spouse and was welcomed by Kindiki on behalf of President William Ruto.
“On behalf of His Excellency Dr. William Samoei Ruto, I received His Excellency Alexander Stubb, the President of the Republic of Finland, together with his spouse, on arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for a state visit to Kenya,” a statement from the Deputy President read.
The Deputy President was flanked by Education Cabinet Secretary Ogamba Migos and other leaders.
The landing at dawn officially starts a busy schedule that will see the visiting president tour the East Africa region, with his itinerary also taking him to Tanzania.
“On the way to Kenya and Tanzania. Accompanied on these state visits by a business delegation. Africa has growing importance for Finland and Europe. In the economy, for global development as well as for security,” Stubb’s statement on his Facebook read ahead of the tour.
The visit, the first ever by Stubb to Kenya, is aimed at celebrating 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations, with discussions on trade, climate, and multilateral issues set to take centre stage.
Also, as part of his itinerary, the Finnish president will deliver a public lecture on geopolitics and the transformation of multilateral order on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at the University of Nairobi.
Visit to UN offices
The President is also expected to meet with officials from the United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON), the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), and the UN-Habitat to discuss reforms and sustainability measures.
Stubb will also tour a digital connectivity project in Kawangware funded by the European country and the European Union (EU). He will also lay a wreath in Uhuru Gardens to honour Kenya’s independence heroes.
The Finnish first family will conclude the first day by attending a planned state banquet hosted by the Kenyan president and the First Lady Rachel Ruto, at State House
