Ruto meets Queen Máxima, announces partnership with Dutch gov’t to fight cancer in children
By Wycliffe Nyamasege, October 23, 2023
President William Ruto on Monday, October 23, 2023, met Queen Máxima of the Kingdom of the Netherlands at State House, Nairobi.
During the talks, President Ruto said, the Dutch government committed to creating a partnership to fight cancer in children between the Princess Maxima Centre for Pediatric Oncology in the Netherlands and the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital.
Queen Máxima, who is also the United Nations Secretary General’s Special Advocate for inclusive finance for development, also expressed the Dutch government’s commitment to supporting climate change mitigation measures in Kenya.
Earlier, President Ruto held talks with British High Commissioner to Kenya Neil Wigan at State House Nairobi ahead of the State visit by King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
In a statement, the Head of State said the visit is a testament to the depth of Kenya’s relations with the United Kingdom (UK).
“Kenya is honoured that King Charles III and Queen Camilla have chosen our country for their first visit to a Commonwealth nation.
“This choice is testament to the depth of our relations and the mutual beneficial nature of our partnership. The visit is a significant opportunity to enhance our collaboration in various areas of shared interest,” President Ruto said.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla will make a four-day State visit to Kenya from Tuesday, October 31 to Friday, November 3, 2023.
King Charles III visit
President Ruto invited the royal couple for the visit, which comes as Kenya prepares to celebrate 60 years of independence from Britain later in December.
While confirming the visit on October 11, Buckingham Palace said the State visit is aimed at celebrating the warm relationship between the two countries and the strong and dynamic partnership they continue to forge.
“His Majesty’s first visit to a Commonwealth nation as King is therefore to the country in which Queen Elizabeth II’s reign began, having acceded to the throne in Kenya in February 1952,” the palace said.
During the visit, the King and Queen are scheduled to meet President Ruto and First Lady Rachael Ruto as well as other members of the Kenyan Government, United Nations (UN) staff, CEOs, faith leaders, young people, future leaders and Kenyan Marines training with UK Royal Marines.
They will also tour Nairobi National Park as well as Mombasa and surrounding areas.