Queen Mary of Denmark is in Nairobi for a three-day state visit, which is expected to strengthen Kenya’s bilateral relations with Denmark, particularly with regard to international climate and development partnerships.
The Danish monarch arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Tuesday evening, where she was welcomed by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife Rebecca Miano, and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja.
The Queen’s visit coincides with Kenya’s recent efforts to establish itself as a regional hub for climate diplomacy, environmental innovation and conservation technology.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Queen's tour will focus on conservation efforts for endangered species on Kenya's coast, where the country has been running several globally recognised wildlife protection programmes.
Her itinerary also extends to Nairobi, where the Queen will visit several landfills and waste-management projects that aim to demonstrate Kenya’s shift toward a circular economy.
The projects the Queen will tour highlight the country’s struggle with urban waste but also its ambition to turn environmental challenges into sustainable economic opportunities, thus ensuring the capital city’s environmental resilience.
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During her stay, Queen Mary will participate in the ongoing United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) at the UN offices in Gigiri.
Kenya, on its part, is keen to use the visit to deepen its cooperation with Denmark in renewable energy, particularly wind power, green financing, and climate-smart urban development.
The official statement states that the visit presents an opportunity for Kenya to explore new partnerships that align with Kenya’s climate commitments and Denmark’s global reputation as a leader in sustainable solutions.
The visit to Kenya marks the Queen’s second visit to Africa in two months, following an official visit to Egypt for a reception hosted by the Danish Embassy in Cairo.
During the Cairo visit, the Queen attended the grand opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum and, alongside Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, visited the Pyramids and the Sphinx.
“Kenya extends a warm welcome to Her Majesty Queen Mary,” the statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs concluded.
