Patricia Scotland to meet Uhuru, Odinga

PIC: Commonwealth Secretary-General Scotland. (Credit: AFP)

MEETING | POLITICS

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland, will make her first official visit to Kenya later this week.

During her two days in the country's capital Nairobi, Scotland will meet President Uhuru Kenyatta, government ministers and Raila Odinga, the former prime minister, according to a press release issued on Tuesday.

"Kenya is a much-valued member of the Commonwealth family," She said, adding: "This visit is a welcome opportunity to convey in person my appreciation for the positive development which has taken place, with agreement being reached between President Kenyatta and Odinga."

Scotland said: "I commend their decision to launch an initiative which aims to unite all Kenyans. We in the Commonwealth stand ready to provide support in any way we can."

The Secretary-General will also outline the Commonwealth's priorities, including preparations for next month's Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in London, as well as discussing possible areas of collaboration. These include legal, economic, climate change and ocean governance-related issues.

She will attend the 20th anniversary event of the East African Business Council (EABC), where she will emphasise the importance of the Commonwealth Advantage when member countries trade with one another.

Scotland will continue to promote the role of youth in the Commonwealth, where 60 % of its citizens are under 30, when she meets law students at Nairobi's Strathmore University.

"The law students will focus on a policy discussion on domestic violence," she said. "It is an area I have specialised in and made a personal priority throughout my career. I continue to carry this forward in practical and innovative ways as Secretary-General."

The visit will also provide an opportunity to engage with the international community in Nairobi.

Scotland came to Uganda in July last year to attend the Commonwealth youth ministers meeting.