King Charles Sends Condolence Message to Kenya as Ties with UK Deepen

President William Ruto on Friday said he has received a message of condolences from King Charles III of the United Kingdom following the death of Prime Minister Raila Odinga, calling it a tribute to Odinga’s legacy and a reaffirmation of strong Kenya-UK relations.

The message was delivered to Ruto at State House, Nairobi, by United Kingdom Embassy Charge d’Affaires Ed Barnett, two months after Odinga’s death.

In a statement shared on his verified Meta account, Ruto said the British monarch expressed a deep sense of loss and conveyed condolences to Odinga’s family and the people of Kenya.

“The King expresses his sense of loss and condoles with the family of the Rt. Hon. Odinga and the people of Kenya,” Ruto said.

According to the statement, King Charles said he had known Odinga for his steadfast leadership, willingness to build democratic consensus, open-mindedness and deep concern for the plight of ordinary people.

“He points out that he had known the Rt. Hon. Odinga for his steadfast leadership, willingness to build democratic consensus, open-mindedness and deep concern for the plight of ordinary people,” Ruto said.

Barnett delivered the message during a meeting at State House, where discussions also focused on bilateral cooperation between Nairobi and London. Ruto said the two sides noted with satisfaction the strength of Kenya-UK relations, which were enhanced by the signing of a strategic partnership agreement in July.

As a result of the partnership, trade volumes between the two countries have increased from £1.3 billion (about KSh224 billion) to £2 billion (about KSh345 billion), Ruto said.

During the meeting, Barnett expressed support for the establishment of Kenya’s National Infrastructure Fund, saying the United Kingdom stands ready to provide technical assistance.

“Mr. Barnett supported the establishment of the National Infrastructure Fund in Kenya, saying the UK stands ready to provide experts to work with us in this endeavour,” Ruto said.

Ruto said the fund will be critical in expanding infrastructure nationwide, including the development of the Nairobi Railway City project, a joint Kenya-UK initiative aimed at transforming the capital into a modern, green and vibrant transport hub.