September 15, 2022- A Cuban delegation presided over by Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Cuba, Inés María Chapman Waugh, arrived in Nairobi, on Sunday, September 11, 2022, to attend the inauguration of President-Elect, William Samoei Ruto. The Cuban dignitary was welcomed at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by deputy speaker of Kenya’s Parliament Gladys Boss Shollei.
Within the framework of this visit, the Cuban Deputy Prime Minister was received in a courtesy audience by President Ruto, with whom she had already exchanged in 2019 during one of her visits to the African country, while he was Vice President. The meeting was a good opportunity to convey greetings from the President of the Republic of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, on the occasion of his swearing-in as the 5th President of Kenya. During the talks, both parties ratified their willingness to move forward on issues of mutual interest, especially towards the continuity of bilateral ties and cooperation shared by both nations. The Cuban side expressed its gratitude for Kenya's support in the just struggle waged by Cuba to put an end to the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the US.
Likewise, Chapman Waugh held a meeting with newly elected speaker of Kenya’s National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula. They agreed on the coordination and implementation of actions to strengthen ties between the parliamentary structures of the two countries, and to boost cooperation ties.
In addition, the delegation held talks with a group of Kenyan professionals who studied in Cuba, Cuban cooperators working in Kenya, officials and workers of the Cuban Embassy in Nairobi.
The deference of attending the inauguration of the new President of Kenya proves the importance Cuba attaches to the political relations it shares with this African country. Obviously, Africa continues to represent a central point in Cuba's foreign policy.