British PM David Cameron among five high-profile leaders set to visit Kenya

President Uhuru Kenyatta with British Prime Minister David Cameron shake hands on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 28, 2015. Mr Cameron is among several heads of state and government expected to make high-profile visits to Kenya this year in a bid to tighten bilateral ties, State House has confirmed. FILE PHOTO | PSCU 

In Summary

• Mr Cameron is expected in June in a highly valued visit likely to generate excitement in light of historical ties between Kenya and Britain.
• But Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, who was expected in Nairobi next month, has cancelled his trip, citing a busy diary.
• South Korean President Park Geun-Hye is, however, expected in Kenya in April at a date State House said will be communicated later just months before Mr Cameron’s visit.

By ISAAC ONGIRI
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British Prime Minister David Cameron is among several heads of state and government expected to make high-profile visits to Kenya this year in bid to tighten bilateral ties, State House has confirmed.

Mr Cameron is expected in June in a highly valued visit likely to generate excitement in light of historical ties between Kenya and Britain.

Up to five high-profile guests are expected in Kenya between now and July, extending the trend that began last year when US President Barack Obama made a euphoric visit to the country.

“British Prime Minister David Cameron’s visit will happen in June. The visit will be the culmination of the resetting of relations between Kenya and the United Kingdom, which Prime Minister Cameron called for when he met President Kenyatta on the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York last September,” said State House spokesman Manoah Esipisu.

The relationship between Kenya and Britain has been both cold and hot over the past few years following a previous hard-line position taken by the former coloniser on governance-related issues on which Kenya has been weak for many years.

21-GUN SALUTE

But on Wednesday afternoon, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari will be the first to jet in for a State visit, which Mr Manoah said will be accorded all honours, with 21-gun accolades.

“The three-day State visit to the country by President Muhammadu Buhari of the Federal Republic of Nigeria begins tomorrow, Wednesday January 27. President Buhari will arrive at Eldoret International Airport, where he will be received by his host, President Uhuru Kenyatta. President Buhari will receive a full State reception, including a 21-gun salute,” Mr Esipisu said.

President Buhari and President Kenyatta are expected to discuss trade-related issues, picking up from where former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan left when he visited Kenya in September 2013, when a number of deals were signed.

South Korean President Park Geun-Hye is, however, expected in Kenya in April at a date State House said will be communicated later, just months before Mr Cameron’s visit.

Said Mr Esipisu: “South Korea is a powerhouse in the tech and innovation area and we are looking to technology transfer as well as opportunities for our young people who have excelled in the innovation and enterprise fields.”

BUSY DIARY

But Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, who was expected in Nairobi next month, has cancelled his trip, citing a busy diary.

Mr Esipisu said a new date for the Egyptian president’s visit would be announced later.

But even as the high-profile foreigners plan to jet in, President Kenyatta is also planning several trips abroad next month.

According to State House, the President is expected to travel to Israel and later to France for serious engagements and lobby for partnerships on security issues.

“In February, President Kenyatta will make a State visit to Israel. The following month, the President will visit France. The two countries are key allies in our fight against terrorism. The President’s visits will strengthen our activities against terrorism, as well as boost bilateral trade between our countries," said Mr Esipisu.

Mr Esipisu, who spoke at a media briefing at State House on Tuesday, also announced the President would travel to Ethiopia on Friday for an African Union summit.

“On Friday, President Kenyatta will travel to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to attend this year’s African Union Heads of State and Government Summit, where he will voice Kenya’s position on a number of issues at the continental level,” he said.

During the Addis summit, the President is expected to voice Kenya’s position on a number of issues at the continental level.

President Kenyatta will also attend a meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council on Friday evening