Just hours before Kenya marked its Mashujaa Day celebrations, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi warmly received Angola’s President João Lourenço and First Lady Ana Dias Lourenço.
However, 15 hours later, during Kenya’s 60th Mashujaa Day event in Kericho, President Lourenço was conspicuously absent, leaving Ambassador António Tete to convey his apologies and warm greetings.
Ambassador Tete expressed President Lourenço’s regret at missing the event, citing “unforeseen reasons” as the cause of his absence.
The Kenyan government has not yet provided an explanation for the President’s nonattendance, even though the Angolan leader was in Nairobi.
During an address at Kericho Green Stadium, the Angolan Foreign Minister, Tete António, offered an explanation for President Lourenço’s absence, stating that the President had initially intended to be present but faced unexpected impediments.
Tete António conveyed the President’s apologies and expressed his desire to attend, saying, “On behalf of the President, I would first like to convey his apologies. He would have loved to be here, but for unforeseen reasons, he could not make it to Kericho. Nevertheless, he sends his warm greetings.”
President William Ruto also confirmed the visiting President’s presence in the country and the initiation of his official visit and discussions with the government on Saturday, October 21.
“His state visit will commence tomorrow,” Ruto announced.
President Lourenço and his wife, Ana Dias Lourenço, arrived in the country on Thursday evening, with their reception at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) led by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.
On Thursday evening, Musalia Mudavadi’s official social media account announced President Lourenço’s arrival and the purpose of his visit, including a bilateral meeting with Kenyan President William Ruto and his role as Chief Guest at the Mashujaa Day celebrations in Kericho County.
