US first lady welcomed by traditional dancers as she lands in Kenya

By Andrew Wasike

NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) - Jill Biden arrived Friday at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) for a three-day visit to Kenya on her first visit to Africa as US first lady.

Security was tight at the airport with the Kenyan government taking measures to ensure the safety of Biden and her delegation.

Kenyan first lady Rachel Ruto received Biden who, along with her delegation, were entertained by traditional dancers.

Biden will focus on food insecurity and hunger during her visit, a critical issue that has affected millions in East Africa and is projected to leave 5.4 million in Kenya without adequate access to food and water between March and June 2023.

The trip aims to raise awareness about the dire food insecurity situation in Kenya and encourage global action to address it.

The visit will also highlight women's empowerment and children's issues.

She is expected to meet female entrepreneurs and leaders to discuss ways to increase opportunities for women in Kenya and address the challenges they face, including gender-based violence and limited access to education and health care.

Biden’s visit will also focus on youth partnerships. Kenya has a young population, with more than 75% aged below 35. She will meet young Kenyans to learn about their experiences, challenges and aspirations.

She wants to explore ways of strengthening youth partnerships between the US and Kenya, promoting youth development and empowering young people to take an active role in shaping their future.

She is visiting to strengthen America's partnerships with Kenya and the African continent, but it will also be an opportunity to deepen the longstanding ties between the US and Kenya.

During her visit to Namibia earlier this week, Biden visited several NGOs that are working toward ending poverty and hunger, as well as promoting gender equality.

Biden is the third US official to visit Africa in 2023, following trips by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and UN Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield