The Embassy operations during COVID-19 Pandemic

The Embassy opened its doors for in person services but strictly on appointment basis on 19th October 2020 after several months of lockdown. Though this arrangement was aimed at mitigating against the spread of covid-19 by ensuring social distancing in line with CDC protocols and the order of the Mayor of Washington D.C, the move has caused a backlog of work at the Embassy due to limited number of persons being served per day. The Embassy however, has a contingency plan for attending all urgent/emergency cases.

President Uhuru Kenyatta holds bilateral talks with President Joseph Biden during official visit to the United States of America (USA)

October 19, 2021 by Embassy of the Republic of Kenya D.C. in News and Events

H.E. President Uhuru Kenyatta held bilateral talks with H.E. President Joseph Biden at the White House, Washington DC, on Thursday 14^th October 2021. The two leaders discussed amongst other things, their shared commitment to defending democracy and human rights, advancing regional peace and security, and accelerating economic prosperity through climate smart solutions and the use of renewable energy resources.

With regard to health cooperation, the Presidents agreed to deepen collaboration in health matters especially on HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. The leaders also agreed to scale up efforts in combating the COVID-19 pandemic, which has occasioned loss of lives globally. President Biden announced his Government’s donation of 17 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to the African Union. Kenya has to date received 2.8 million vaccines and is slated to get additional Pfizer doses in the next few months, as part of President Biden’s pledge, at the G7 Summit in early 2021, to donate 500 million vaccine doses globally. President Biden also support for American pharmaceuticals such as Pfizer, to partner with selected African countries, Kenya being amongst them, on vaccine manufacturing and production.

On peace and security the Presidents expressed their concern on the pockets of conflict in the horn of Africa region and agreed to support conflict resolution and humanitarian efforts in the region. Both leaders also expressed their common intention to continue their collaboration in countering terrorism and radicalization.

With respect to climate change, H.E President Kenyatta commended the U.S. for re-joining the Paris Agreement and conveyed Kenya’s willingness to offer leadership in climate change mitigation and green energy. The two leaders agreed to meet on the margins of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 26) to be held in Glasgow, United Kingdom, from 31^st October to 12^th November 2021.

The meeting between the two Principals comes on the margins of Kenya’s Presidency of the United Nations Security Council for the month of October 2021. During this period, H.E. the President chaired a high-level open debate under the theme, “Peace Building and Sustainable Peace: Diversity, State Building and the Search for Peace”, at the United Nations Headquarters, New York, on 12^th October 2021.

While still in New York, H.E the President also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) and the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) to upscale Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). The MOU, which is premised on a longstanding relationship between KEPSA and CCA, will increase Kenya-U.S. trade and investment. The two organizations have over the years collaborated in organizing a range of meetings and events, pulling together their respective members.

H.E. President Uhuru Kenyatta also held a telephone conversation with Hon. Senator Christopher Coons, where the two discussed areas of mutual interest between Kenya and the United States of America. (USA).