King Charles of the United Kingdom and his spouse Queen Camilla will visit Kenya on October 31.
According to a statement from the UK High Commission in Kenya, the King’s visit in Kenya will be his first in a Commonwealth country.
Further, the High Commission announced that King Charles’ visit will set stage for the celebration of the strong ties between the two countries.
“They will celebrate the strong ties between Kenya and UK. This is the first visit by their Majesties to a Commonwealth country,” the statement read.
In a statement, the Royal Family of the United Kingdom confirmed that the King’s visit is at the invitation of President William Ruto.
In addition to Kenya’s capital of Nairobi, the King and the Queen will visit Mombasa County.
As per the statement, the King Charles will engage President William Ruto on several issues including climate change and employment opportunities for Kenyan youth.
During their visit, the King and the Queen are also expected to meet officials of the United Nations, business leaders as well as faith leaders.
Further, the UK Royal Family announced that King Charles will attend an event to celebrate life and work of Nobel Laurate and former Minister Prof Wangari Mathai and meet Kenyan soldiers training with UK Royal Marines.
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Other items listed on the King’s itinerary include a visit a newly set up museum and laying a wreath at the tomb of the Unknown Warrior at Uhuru Gardens.
King Charles’ visit to mark Kenya, UK history
In the announcement on Wednesday, the UK Royal Family noted that King Charles’ visit will refelect heavily on Kenya’s history.
In particular, the statement mentioned that the monarch will acknowledge the more painful aspects of the UK and Kenya’s shared history, including the Emergency (1952-1960)
Notably, the King’s predecessor and the Kingdom’s longest-serving monarch Queen Elizabeth the second was announced as the country’s queen while in a visit in Kenya.
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King’s itinerary
The following is the itinerary of the King’s visit as announced by the Royal Family.
- King Charles will be greeted with a ceremonial welcome at State House and will each attend bilateral meetings – before The President hosts a State Banquet at State House.
- His Majesty will visit the United Nations Office at Nairobi, to learn more about the work of UN Habitat and the UN Environment Programme.
- His Majesty will attend a technology showcase, meeting Kenyan entrepreneurs who are driving forward innovation in the country’s tech sector.
- His Majesty will host a reception focused on Kenya’s young people and future leaders across development, trade, media, the creative arts and environmental conservation.
- Their Majesties will visit a Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery, joining British and Kenyan military personnel in an act of Remembrance.
- The King and Queen will visit Nairobi National Park.
- Her Majesty will hear how the charity is working with the Kenya Society for the Protection and Care of Animals to rescue donkeys at risk and promote their welfare.
- The King will visit Mtongwe Naval Base in Mombasa to witness Kenyan Marines, trained by the Royal Marines, demonstrating a covert beach landing, showing defence collaboration in action.
- The Queen will meet survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.
- The King will meet faith leaders from Mombasa’s diverse community.
His visit will come five months after he was coronated as the King of the United Kingdom. He ascended to the position following the death of Queen Elizabeth in September 2022.
Moreover, Charles’ visit to Kenya is his first in Africa in his position and to a Commonwealth country. Kenya and the UK have had ties dating back to colonial era when the Kingdom established colonial rule in the country.
