President William Ruto on Saturday received Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar at State House, Nairobi, ahead of Kenya’s Madaraka Day celebrations slated for June 1 in Homa Bay County. This visit marks a historic milestone as it is the first time a Slovenian Head of State has visited Kenya, 21 years after the two nations established diplomatic ties in 2004.
President Musar will be the guest of honour during the national celebrations at the newly renamed Raila Odinga Stadium, where Kenyans will commemorate the country’s attainment of internal self-rule in 1963. The event is expected to feature cultural displays, military parades, and a presidential address highlighting Kenya’s progress and aspirations.
During her visit, President Musar and President Ruto are expected to engage in high-level bilateral talks aimed at enhancing economic and development cooperation between Slovenia and Kenya. The discussions will also address key global and regional issues, including peace and security, climate action, and sustainable development financing.
A major agenda item will be the need for multilateral collaboration on reforming global institutions such as the United Nations to better reflect the interests of developing nations. Both leaders are keen on promoting partnerships that align with their countries’ shared values on democracy, environmental responsibility, and innovation.
In a significant development, President Musar is also set to launch The Conduit, a state-of-the-art Climate Intelligence Hub at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). The facility is a product of collaboration between JHUB Africa and Slovenia’s SPACE-SI (Centre of Excellence for Space Sciences and Technologies).
The Conduit will focus on empowering youth through innovation in climate action, smart agriculture, and digital technologies. It seeks to offer cutting-edge solutions to address climate challenges while providing a platform for African and European cooperation in science and technology.
President Musar’s visit symbolizes the strengthening of diplomatic, scientific, and cultural ties between Kenya and Slovenia, laying the foundation for broader partnerships in the years to come.
