Finnish President Alexander Stubb and First Lady Suzanne Innes-Stubb arrived in Kenya on Monday, May 12, for a historic three-day state visit, marking Finland’s first-ever presidential visit to the East African country.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki welcomed the Finnish delegation at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on behalf of President William Ruto. The visit, which will run until May 14, 2025, celebrates 60 years of diplomatic relations between Kenya and Finland. According to the Finnish Embassy, this visit aims to strengthen ties between the two nations while promoting cooperation on global and regional issues, multilateralism, and sustainable development.
President Stubb's official program started with a meeting with President Ruto in Nairobi. The two leaders are expected to hold discussions focusing on bilateral relations, shared global challenges affecting Africa and Europe, and the need to support multilateral systems. After the meeting, President Stubb took part in a wreath-laying ceremony at Uhuru Gardens.
Later in the evening, President Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto will host a state banquet at State House in honour of the Finnish presidential couple.
During his visit, President Stubb will also meet with local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and foreign policy experts to discuss regional issues and social development. One of the key moments of the visit will be his address at the University of Nairobi. There, he will speak on geopolitics and the evolving multilateral order, followed by an interactive session with university students.
On the economic front, President Stubb will deliver the keynote speech at the closing of the EU-Kenya Business Forum. He will also take part in a business seminar organised by Business Finland, focusing on opportunities in the built environment and health sectors.
The visit also includes a tour of a vocational training institution and a company implementing a Finnish-funded project aimed at improving technical education to match labour market needs. Additionally, he will visit Kawangware to see a digital connectivity initiative backed by the EU and Finnfund.
President Stubb’s program will conclude with high-level meetings with officials from the UN Office in Nairobi (UNON), UNEP, and UN-Habitat. These discussions will focus on the future of the UN and Nairobi’s importance as a global diplomatic centre.
This state visit is a significant milestone for Kenya-Finland relations, reflecting both countries' commitment to development, cooperation, and constructive global dialogue.
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