The Iranian President, Ebrahim Raisi, arrived in Kenya on Wednesday, July 12 on his official State visit.
President Raisi was welcomed at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) by Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua.
The State visit was initially scheduled for Tuesday July 11 but was moved abruptly to Wednesday July 12 in what the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said was to allow the completion of crucial Memoranda of Understanding MoUs central to the furtherance of relations.
President Raisi was hosted by Ruto at State House, Nairobi where he inspected a guard of honor and was accorded a 21-gun salute.
The bilateral talks between the two heads of state are aimed at reviewing and re-energizing relations between Iran and Kenya by nurturing mutual prosperity.
After visiting Kenya, President Raisi is scheduled to visit other countries in Africa including Uganda and Mozambique.
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Moreover, his visit to Africa is part of Iran’s latest diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing the Islamic state’s isolation by forging new alliances.
Furthermore, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani on Monday, July 10 described the three-day trip to Africa as “a new turning point” which could strengthen economic and trade ties with African nations.
Nonetheless, the Islamic nation has improved its diplomacy in the recent months to lessen its segregation and offset the impact of crippling sanctions reimposed since the 2018 withdrawal of the United States from a painstakingly negotiated nuclear deal.