The United States ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, will tour Kenya on a two-day trip as part of US President Joe Biden's strategy to strengthen ties with the African continent.
Reports indicated that Greenfield's African visit will commence on Wednesday, January 25 as she tours Ghana and Mozambique before concluding her trip in Kenya on Saturday, January 28, and Sunday, January 29.
The aim of the visit will be to strengthen US relations with Africa and also to counter China's trade influence that has continued to grow in the past few years.
According to statistics from China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the total trade value between the two countries was Ksh2.2 trillion from 2015 to 2019.
The visit will also focus on humanitarian programmes, including the regional response to drought and assistance to refugees.
In addition, the US aims to look at the impact of Russia's war against Ukraine which has continued to have on global food security.
"The ambassador will also meet refugees pending resettlement in the United States and Kenya-based entrepreneurs at the forefront of the country's transition to a green economy," the statement from the US mission, read in part.
Greenfield's tour will also incorporate engaging with UN officials, entrepreneurs, international relations students and alumni of US exchange programmes.
The ambassador's visit will cement Biden's stance at the US-Africa Leaders Summit in December 2022, whereby he advocated for increased trade talks between US and Africa.
He also affirmed that he would visit Sub-Saharan Africa in 2023- essentially becoming the first trip in the region by the US Head of State.
Biden's wife, Jill Biden is also set to visit Kenya, according to Foreign Affairs CS Alfred Mutua.
"The First Lady of the US will be in the country in the next month or so. She’ll be honouring an invitation from her Kenyan counterpart Rachel Ruto.
“Her visit will be centred on a number of issues, including how the US can support Kenya’s education and the monitoring of US initiatives in the country, including development programmes," Mutua recently told The Standard.
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