Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu Confirms His Attendance to President Uhuru’s Inauguration

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed his attendance to President Uhuru Kenyatta’s swearing-in ceremony set for Tuesday.

The Times Of Israel reports that Netanyahu will arrive in Nairobi on Tuesday next week to attend the inauguration of President Uhuru as he takes Oath of Office for his second and final term.

“Netanyahu will be in Kenya for several hours, flying in on Tuesday morning and leaving the country later the same day after attending the ceremony,” his office said on Thursday as quoted by the Times.

On Thursday, government Spokesman Eric Kiraithe confirmed that 20 heads of state have confirmed their attendance, but did not provide the list.

“Preparations are still ongoing for next week’s Swearing-in of President Kenyatta. We have invited high profile guests and 20 heads of states have already confirmed attendance,” he said.

In Thursday, acting Interior Cabinet Fred Matiang’i declared Tuesday as Public Holiday to allow Kenyans attend the inauguration.

In July 2016, Netanyahu became the first serving Israeli prime minister to visit Kenya. During the visit, President Uhuru Kenyatta pledged to vouch for Israel to gain observer status at the African Union.

“We believe that there is need for us as a continent to once again to re-engage Israel on a more positive basis, with an understanding that our partnership can help make this world that much more secure,” Kenyatta said at a joint press conference with Netanyahu at Nairobi State House.

Israel and Kenya are “natural partners,” Netanyahu said.

He continued: “We face common challenges, the first among them is as I’ve just said, terror… Now, alongside these common challenges, Israel and Kenya share common opportunities in technology, water, agriculture, cyber and much more.”