Written by Kelly Were.
Kenya has welcomed the President of the Republic of Finland, His Excellency Alexander Stubb, and Mrs. Suzanne Innes-Stubb, for a three-day State Visit, marking a historic milestone in the diplomatic relations between the two nations.
President Stubb’s visit, which runs from May 12 to 14, is the first ever presidential visit from Finland to Kenya and the first State Visit between the two countries in nearly four decades. It comes at the invitation of President William Ruto, underscoring 60 years of bilateral cooperation between Finland and Kenya.
The Finnish Head of State arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Monday morning, where he was received by Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki, alongside senior government officials including Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Dr. Korir Sing’Oei, Ambassador of Finland to Kenya Pirkka Tapiola, and Kenya’s Ambassador to Finland Angeline K. Musili.
President Stubb is accompanied by a delegation that includes Members of Parliament Ms. Saara-Sofia Sirén, Chair of the Finnish Parliamentary Friendship Group with Kenya, and Ms. Inka Hopsu, Vice Chair of the Finnish Parliament Group on Global Issues, as well as representatives from the Finnish business community spanning multiple sectors.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties and Multilateral Cooperation
During his stay, President Stubb is scheduled to hold high-level bilateral discussions with President Ruto and senior Kenyan officials. These meetings will focus on strengthening diplomatic ties, exploring global challenges affecting Africa and Europe, and advancing support for the multilateral international order.
The Finnish President will also engage with Kenyan business leaders, civil society representatives, and academia, reinforcing the people-to-people connections that underpin diplomatic engagement.
Key Engagements and Symbolic Moments
The itinerary for the visit includes a ceremonial reception at State House, Nairobi, followed by a State Banquet hosted by President Ruto and First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto in honor of the visiting dignitaries.
In a symbolic gesture of respect, President Stubb will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Uhuru Gardens National Monuments and Museums.
Additionally, he will tour technical and vocational education institutions (TVETs) supported by Finland, and is expected to deliver a public address on geopolitics and the changing global order at an institution of higher learning.
He will also participate in the EU-Kenya Business Forum, where he is set to deliver a keynote address on enhancing trade and investment ties.
On the final day of the visit, President Stubb will hold meetings with senior United Nations officials based in Nairobi, including the Director-General of the UN Office in Nairobi (UNON), and the Executive Directors of UNEP and UN-Habitat.
A Legacy of Development Cooperation
Finland has played a significant role in supporting Kenya’s development, particularly in education, renewable energy, gender equality, and agribusiness. Finnish support has included:
- Funding for TVET institutions focused on youth skills development and digitized farming;
- Development financing through Finfund, backing projects like the Menengai geothermal and Lake Turkana wind power initiatives;
- Support for gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and response programs in Samburu, Bungoma, and Kilifi counties;
- Technological contributions such as Hitachi Finland’s work on the Ruaraka power substation and Kauko Finland’s water safety and climate resilience projects.
Diplomatic relations between Kenya and Finland date back to June 14, 1965, two years after Finland recognized Kenya’s independence. Finland maintains an Embassy in Nairobi and an Honorary Consulate in Mombasa, while Kenya is represented in Finland through its Embassy in Stockholm.
This is Kenya’s second State Visit hosted in 2025, a testament to its growing international diplomatic profile.
President Stubb and his delegation will depart Kenya on May 14, 2025, concluding a visit seen as a new chapter in Finland-Kenya relations, built on shared values of prosperity, sustainability, and global cooperation.
