Kenyan Ministers Welcome Jokowi's Arrival in Nairobi

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya, on Sunday, August 20, 2023, at 15:15 p.m. EAT. Jokowi arrived in Nairobi after an 8-hour flight from Kualanamu International Airport in Medan, North Sumatra.

Upon his arrival, Jokowi was welcomed by the Indonesian Ambassador for the Republic of Kenya, Mohamad Hery Saripudin, and the Defence Attachéin Pretoria Marine Colonel Burhanudin.

"From Kenya's side, also welcoming the President, were the Foreign Minister of Kenya Alfred Mutua and the Minister of Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs of Kenya Salim Mvurya as Escort of Honour," written in the press release of the Presidential Secretariat's Press, Media, and Information Bureau on Monday, August 21, 2023.

The President and his entourage proceeded to walk towards State Pavillion in the airport area to sign the guest book. After that, the President went to his hotel.

During his visit to Kenya, Jokowi is scheduled to meet Kenya's President William Ruto. The bilateral meeting is intended to boost the cooperation between Indonesia and Kenya.

The visit to Kenya is part of Jokowi's series of visits in between his attendance at the BRICS Summit in South Africa. In addition to South Africa and Kenya, Jokowi will also visit Tanzania and Mozambique. "With God's will, my entourage and I will be back in [Indonesia] on August 25," he said.

According to Jokowi, Indonesia has a long history with Africa. Indonesia hosted and initiated the Asia-Africa Conference in 1955 in Bandung, West Java, which also resulted in the non-block movement. "The Spirit of Bandung will be present during my visit to Africa to strengthen the solidarity and cooperation between the global south countries," he said.

Moreover, Kenya and Tanzania opened their embassies in Indonesia last year. Jokowi remarked that this showed their commitment to cooperating with Indonesia. In addition, Mozambique was the first African country to ink a preferential trade agreement with Indonesia.

M. JULNIS FIRMANSYAH

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