President Barrow concludes maiden visit to Kenya with focus on partnerships

President Adama Barrow has undertaken his first official visit to Kenya, participating in events that underscore cooperation between the two nations in various sectors.

The visit coincided with Kenya’s 61st Independence Anniversary celebrations, where President Barrow was invited as the Guest of Honour by his Kenyan counterpart, President William Ruto. While in Nairobi, he joined Jumu’ah prayers at a local mosque, accompanied by members of his delegation and Kenya’s Minister of Mines, Ali Hassan Joho. Welcomed warmly by the Imam and congregation, President Barrow expressed gratitude for the hospitality and emphasized the significance of fulfilling religious obligations wherever he travels.

Later, President Barrow toured the Ken-Gen Geothermal Power Plant, located a short flight from Nairobi. As the second-largest geothermal facility in the world, the plant boasts a production capacity of 800 megawatts. The tour highlighted potential lessons for The Gambia in renewable energy.

Education also featured prominently in the agenda. President Barrow met with Kenya’s Minister for Education, Julius Migos Ogamba, to explore collaboration in higher education. He directed his team to work with experts on advancing this partnership, with the Gambian Honorary Consul in Kenya, Ambassador Dr. John O. Kakonge, tasked with following up. The meeting included Gambian students studying in Kenya, whom President Barrow commended for their contributions to The Gambia’s image abroad.

In a final engagement, President Barrow visited an affordable housing project led by Kenya’s Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing, and Urban Development. The initiative, which employs thousands daily, aims to provide modern homes for low-income citizens and slum residents. Impressed by the scheme’s impact, President Barrow described it as a model worth emulating to address similar challenges in The Gambia.

Accompanying the president were senior officials, including Honourable Mod K. Ceesay, Minister and Chief of Staff, and outgoing Gambian Ambassador to the African Union, Jainaba Jagne. The visit reinforced President Barrow’s commitment to fostering development-oriented partnerships with African counterparts.