King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla have landed in Nairobi. The Royal Air Force carrying king Charles III and Queen Consort touched down at the Jomo Kenyatta international airport (JKIA) minutes before 11 pm, Monday.
The King and Queen has arrived in Kenya on their first state visit to a commonwealth national since the became sovereign.
Instead, the couple left the plane without fuss in what is classed as an ‘administrative arrival’.
Royal aides said the aircraft flew from the UK using 40 per cent sustainable air fuel at the king’s request.
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It also marks the 60th anniversary of the country gaining its independence from Britain in 1963, while Queen Elizabeth was on the throne.
But the monarch does intend to address the ‘painful’ legacy of colonialism head-on.
His Majesty will ‘take time during the visit to deepen his understanding of the wrongs suffered in this period by the people of Kenya’, his deputy Private Secretary Chris Fitzgerald has said.
Mr Fitzgerald said the king would also acknowledge ‘the more painful aspects of the United Kingdom and Kenya’s shared history’, including the 1952 ‘Emergency’ and the brutal suppression of the Mau Mau rebellion.
The British presence in Kenya dates back to1895 when white settlers were given huge tracts of rich farmland. It became a full colony in 1920.
Enraged at the loss of their ancestral lands and angry at the lack of indigenous political rights, the Mau Mau began an aggressive uprising against the British in 1952.
It lasted until 1960 and is now regarded in Kenya as one of the most significant steps in the country freeing itself from British rule.
Their program will reflect on how Kenya and the United Kingdom are working together to boost mutual prosperity, tackle climate change, promote youth opportunity and employment, advance sustainable development, and create a more stable and secure region.
During the visit, the King and Queen will meet President Ruto and the First Lady as well as other members of the Kenyan Government, UN staff, CEOs, faith leaders, young people, future leaders, and Kenyan Marines training with UK Royal Marines.
The King will also attend an event to celebrate the life and work of the Nobel Laureate the late Professor Wangari Maathai, together with Wangari’s daughter, Wanjira Mathai.
According to the Royal announcement, Their Majesties’ program will reflect on how Kenya and the United Kingdom are working together to boost mutual prosperity, tackle climate change, promote youth opportunity and employment, advance sustainable development, and create a more stable and secure region.
The King and Queen will tour a new museum dedicated to Kenya history and will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the unknown warrior of Uhuru Garden as well as visit the decorations of Kenya independence in 1963.