Tight schedule for Uhuru in New York
President Uhuru Kenyatta greets Kenya's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Koki Muli Grignon when he arrived in New York on September 25, 2015 for the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly. Ambassador Macharia Kamau, the Permanent Representative the United Nations, at far left. PHOTO | PSCU
What you need to know:
- Mr Kenyatta, who arrived in New York on Friday morning and was received by Kenya’s envoy to the UN Macharia Kamau, was scheduled to deliver a speech at the official opening of the United Nations summit for the adoption of the post-2015 development agenda.
- A tentative itinerary seen by the Nation indicates that Mr Kenyatta would hold talks with about a dozen heads of state and government at various locations within the UN complex in Manhattan.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has a tight schedule as he attends the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Mr Kenyatta, who arrived in New York on Friday morning and was received by Kenya’s envoy to the UN Macharia Kamau, was scheduled to deliver a speech at the official opening of the United Nations summit to adopt the post-2015 development agenda.
“The President is one of the few speakers at the plenary on Friday because Kenya co-chaired the working committee which formulated the Post 2015 development agenda on Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs),” Mr Kamau told the Nation.
A tentative itinerary seen by the Nation indicates that Mr Kenyatta would hold talks with about a dozen heads of state and government at various locations within the UN complex in Manhattan.
Mr Kamau said the president’s itinerary includes addressing the general assembly twice — on Friday and on Monday.
“His programme is jam-packed,” he said.
REQUESTS TO MEET UHURU
The envoy said several international media organisations had also written to the Kenyan Mission seeking to interview Mr Kenyatta.
Several world leaders, including UK Prime Minister David Cameron, had requested to meet with Mr Kenyatta.
“Mr Kenyatta will also address the gathering on Monday when all the other world leaders will deliver their speeches,” said the head of the Kenyan Mission in New York.
On Saturday, Mr Kenyatta will join other world leaders at a meeting on peace and international security chaired by President Barack Obama.
This year’s session opened last week, with many speakers expressing optimism that the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and a universal agreement on climate change would be adopted.
Several leaders have also condemned acts of international terrorism and pledged to support efforts to tackle incessant global challenges.
The general UN debate will begin in earnest on September 28, following the summit to adopt the post-2015 sustainable development agenda.
Mr Kenyatta is accompanied by his wife, Margaret, and several government officials, including Cabinet secretaries Amina Mohamed and Joseph Nkaissery.
