Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Korir Song’oei has cancelled his planned press briefing on Kenya-Chile relations.

A press statement issued by the State Department for Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, via social media indicated that the event had been cancelled.

However, no reason has been given for the cancellation.

A media invite sent to newsrooms on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, was reshared whilst marked as “cancelled”.

“Notice of cancellation: Press briefing on Kenya-Chile relations,” the media invite was captioned in the statement issued on Wednesday morning.

Notice of cancellation: Press briefing on Kenya – Chile relations. pic.twitter.com/VgW0gZI75q

— State Department for Foreign Affairs | Kenya (@ForeignOfficeKE) November 6, 2024

Sing’oei joint press briefing

PS Sing’oei was set to address a joint press briefing with Chilean Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gloria de la Fuente González.

According to the Tuesday media invite, the event was scheduled for 11:00 am at the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Headquarters.

“The Principal Secretary, State Department for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Korir Sing’oei and the Chilean Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Her Excellency Dr. Gloria de la Fuente González will on Wednesday, 6th November 2024 at 11:00 am hold a Joint Press Briefing at the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Headquarters. You are invited to provide coverage,” the media invite read.

Media Invite – Press briefing on Kenya – Chile relations. pic.twitter.com/612PYsIBpA

— State Department for Foreign Affairs | Kenya (@ForeignOfficeKE) November 5, 2024

Kenya-Chile bilateral ties

In September 2024, Patricio Aguirre, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the United Chilean States to the Republic of Kenya, paid a courtesy call on Ambassador Josphat Maikara, Deputy Director General of the Americas and Caribbean Directorate at the State Department for Foreign Affairs.

The two discussed Kenya-Chile bilateral relations, with a focus on opportunities to strengthen economic ties.

Additionally, Aguirre followed up on the pending invitation of Gabriel Boric, President of Chile, who is scheduled to visit Kenya, as well as on pending agreements, MoUs, and political consultations.

Kenya and Chile have diplomatic relations that have primarily taken place in multilateral organizations, such as the United Nations.

They range from trade, bilateral meetings and EU agreements.

In 2022, Kenya exported Ksh681 million ($5.28 million) to Chile, and Chile exported Ksh1.1 billion ($8.51 million) to Kenya. 

The main exports from Kenya to Chile were tea, non-knit activewear, and non-knit women’s suits. The main exports from Chile to Kenya were nitrites and nitrates, sowing seeds, and wine.