President Ruto hosts Iran counterpart Ebrahim Raisi at State House

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s arrived in Kenya early Wednesday morning for bilateral talks with President William Ruto.

Raisi, whose State visit was initially scheduled for Tuesday before being rescheduled abruptly, was hosted by Ruto at State House, Nairobi.

The Iranian leader inspected a guard of honour some minutes past 7 am.

Raisi and Ruto’s bilateral talks are to review and re-energize the two countries relations.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Iranian leader’s schedule was reviewed to allow for the finalisation of key MoUs central to the furtherance of relations. 

Raisi’s rare Africa tour is part of Iran’s latest diplomatic efforts to reduce the Islamic nation's isolation by forging new alliances.

The three-day trip also includes Uganda and Zimbabwe and will be the first by an Iranian president to Africa in 11 years.

Raisi will head a delegation that includes Iran's foreign minister as well as senior businesspeople. He is scheduled to meet with

On Monday, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanani described the trip as "a new turning point" which could bolster economic and trade ties with African nations.

He also said the rapprochement is based "on common political views" between Tehran and the three African countries.

Iran has stepped up its diplomacy in recent months to reduce its isolation and offset the impact of crippling sanctions reimposed since the 2018 withdrawal of the United States from a painstakingly negotiated nuclear deal.