On February 25, 2026, Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, arrived in Kenya for a two-day visit to champion the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda. Her visit follows a two-day trip to Somalia and comes ahead of International Women’s Day on March 8.
The visit, conducted at the request of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, focuses on several strategic goals:
Strengthening Collaboration by enhancing UK–Kenya cooperation on the WPS agenda, specifically supporting the implementation of Kenya’s National Action Plan.
Highlighting Female Leadership by recognizing the role of Kenyan women in leadership, decision-making, and regional stability, particularly in areas impacted by climate change and border instability.
Championing Peacebuilders by meeting with women peacebuilders to understand their role in preventing and resolving conflict and bridging community divides.
According to the itinerary released by the British High Commission in Nairobi, the Duchess will participate in the following:
Meeting with President William Ruto to discuss the ongoing cooperation under the UK–Kenya Strategic Partnership regarding support for women in peacebuilding.
Roundtable with Peacebuilders by engaging with women working at the heart of community resilience, including Sudanese women peacebuilders, to discuss conflict-related sexual violence and advocate for justice and accountability.
Support for Entrepreneurs by meeting with Kenyan women business leaders and entrepreneurs who are excelling in the private sector.
Government Engagement by meeting with senior women leaders within the Kenyan government.
The visit underscores the UK’s commitment to making women’s leadership central to the Kenya-UK Strategic Partnership.
By Anthony Solly
