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Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister Micheál Martin cancelled a planned visit to Mukuru Kwa Njenga in Nairobi due to security concerns following the recent discovery of dismembered bodies at the Kware dumpsite.

 The Deputy PM, also known as Tánaiste (second in command in Ireland) was scheduled to visit an Irish-funded clinic on Wednesday morning which is located near the dumpsite that was declared an active crime scene.

 “That such an atrocity, multiple atrocities, could have occurred close to that is quite shocking. We have to await further details and background to this,” said Martin while speaking to the press in Nairobi.

 The Deputy PM began a week-long visit to Kenya and Ethiopia to further trade links and analyze the impact of Ireland’s development assistance program in the two countries.

 The Tánaiste had planned to assess the support provided to women and girls in the slum and meet local clients, staff, and Missionary nuns who manage the clinic.

 He also acknowledged security challenges in the country noting that Ireland will keep on working and supporting efforts to improve the situation.

 “Women’s peace and security has been the theme of Ireland’s positions and contributions on the United Nations Security Council and the General Assembly in terms of our development and humanitarian aid and will remain so,” he added.

 The Tánaiste met with president William Ruto and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi to discuss cooperation on climate action, sustainable food systems, and on furthering trade and private sector connections between Kenya and Ireland.

 They also discussed Kenya’s vital leadership role in securing peace and stability in the region.

  “Ireland is proud of its long history of partnership with Kenya on a wide range of areas from education to climate action, in agriculture innovation and in sustainable development. Ireland deeply values Kenya’s leadership on critical issues of peace and security, including its championing of multilateral efforts to resolve ongoing conflicts and crises in the region,” said Martin.

 He also launched a €15 million initiative aimed at combating child wasting in the cross border Mandera Triangle region of Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia.