Recently, Kenya’s capital city, Nairobi, was named among best destinations to visit in the world.
Therefore, it is with no major surprise that some of the world’s most respected leaders such as President Barack Obama and Ellen Degeneres visited Kenya for various reasons.
Some even made sure to drop in Kenya for its attractive physical features while on their way to other African countries.
Today, we list top five world personalities who visited Kenya for personal or otherwise reasons.
7. Teresa May
In August, British Prime Minister Teresa May’s plane touched down at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for her one day visit to the country where she held a meeting with President Uhuru Kenyatta to foster relations between the two countries.
The PM was received by the Foreign Affairs CS Monica Juma and Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko at the airport.
May met Opposition Leader Raila Odinga, Chief Justice David Maraga, Deputy President William Ruto among others at a state banquet held at State House in her honour.
6. Melania Trump
In October, the US First Lady Melania Trump arrived in Kenya in her four-country African tour after visiting Malawi and Ghana.
Melania, who had come to the country to promote child education, fight against HIV/AIDS and conservation, was received by her Kenyan counterpart, Margaret Kenyatta, at JKIA.
After her meeting with Uhuru, Melania visited the US embassy, watched Sarakasi Dancers at National Theatre, an elephant’s orphanage and a children’s home before leaving for Egypt.
5. Bobi Wine
In October, the celebrated Ugandan musician and parliamentarian Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, visited the country at the height of his estranged relationship with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.
His visit was an acceptance to an invitation from Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and was aimed at discussing how the young people can advance democracy across Africa and improve their participation in governance.
Wine, who was accompanied by youthful Ugandan legislators, was jubilantly received at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) ahead of his five-day tour.
He thanked Kenyans for standing with him and his team after he was arrested by Museveni’s administration and tortured while in detention.
Kenyans, spearheaded by the Law Society of Kenya and other human rights organisations, took to streets and started an online hashtag, #FreeBobiWine, during the detention.
4. Switzerland President
Swiss President Alain Berset excited Kenyans in July when he tweeted in perfect Swahili shortly before he landed for talks with President Uhuru Kenyatta.
During his visit to Kenya, Berset lauded President Kenyatta’s efforts in hosting refugees and agreed to return illegally acquired Kenyan wealth that was being stashed in the European nation.
He also visited Kakuma Refugee camp.
3. Richard Quest
Towards the end of October, renowned CNN journalist Richard Quest visited the country ahead of the first United States direct flight by Kenya Airways.
While in Kenya, the celebrated anchor was vocal touching on all aspects that define typical Kenya such as horrendous traffic jam to horrific election period.
However, what really rattled Kenyans feathers was his interview with Reverend Kathy Kiuna and generally appearing at her church’s pulpit despite his stance as a gay man.
Kenyans accused the church of double standards owing to their strong stance against homosexuality.
The international journalist also interviewed President Kenyatta during his much publicised trip.
2. Ellen Degeneres
In May, the celebrated US comedian Ellen Degeneres stopped for a vacation in Kenya before heading to Rwanda with her wife, Portia de Rossi, for her foundation, the Ellen DeGeneres Wildlife Fund.
Degeneres and Rossi appeared having breakfast at Giraffe Manor in Karen, Nairobi.
She could even be heard declaring her love for the wild animals stating, “Your eyes are so pretty, You're so pretty.”
The 60-year-old’s visit was, however, low key.She is well known for her generous acts during her show.
1. Barack Obama
In July, US ex-President Barack Obama embarked on his rather lowkey first trip to Kenya after leaving office.
Obama first visited State House where he met President Uhuru before proceeding to his father’s ancestral home in K’Ogalo, Siaya County.
A video of him dancing with his grandmother, Sarah Obama, is what caught Kenyans’ eyes the most. This was during the opening of his half-sister Auma’s Foundation Sauti Kuu.
Overall, the visit was his third to the country after he visited as a sitting US President. He first visited the country in 1987 to get to know his sister Auma and his father’s ancestral land better.
