Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi has arrived in Kenya. The Iranian Head of states was warmly welcomed by Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. 

President Raisi arrives a day later than initially planned. He was then taken to the State House where he was honored in a formal State reception ceremony followed by a 21-gun salute. 

After the ceremony, President Ruto and Raisi held bilateral talks where the two nations discussed the importance of bolstering cooperation. 

Raisi was initially meant to lay a wreath at the Mausoleum of the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, along with a joint press conference with President Ruto.

However, the meeting was canceled due to the need for finalization of crucial Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between Kenya and Iran. This is the first visit to Africa by an Iranian president in 11 years and it was meant to include a three-day trip to Kenya, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. 

It was part of the Iranian government’s focus on economic multilateralism in order to strengthen its connection to the $600-billion African economy. 

Referring to the tour, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Nasser Kanani stated that it was a “new turning point” that could facilitate trade and political relations with African nations.