NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 26 — Visiting US First Lady Dr. Jill Biden departed from Nairobi Sunday evening after ending a 3-day tour in Kenya.
The visit to the country was part of her 5-day tour of Africa that featured Namibia.
She was seen off at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport By President William Ruto, her host First Lady Rachel Ruto, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and a host of both Kenyan and US officials.
US Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whiteman was among US officials who accompanied Biden to the airport.
The three-day stay featured meetings with women leaders and entrepreneurs.
On Saturday, she lauded the table banking movement for enhancing financial inclusion for women in low-income areas when she met women in Kibra.
Jill, accompanied by her host Rachel Ruto, who has been spearheading table banking initiatives under her Joyful Women Organization, said the movement had made communities and the country stronger.
“With every thriving business, with every scientific breakthrough, with every act of kindness — each of the amazing women I met today in Kenya is making their community and country stronger,” she said.
Jill engaged partners working under the United States-funded President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, PEPFAR.
She also met farmers using US-made tractors.
Women in leadership
On Friday, moments after her arrival, Jill met women leaders.
She emphasized on the importance of women empowerment in the society saying empowered women have the ability to change the world.
Dr Jill said women in most parts of the world are still struggling to find their voice and a seat at the decision making table.
Speaking at State House, Jill explained that her trip to Kenya was motivated by the need to listen and support women empowerment initiatives in the country.
“Women are the engine behind the community. When women earn money they invest it into the community, when women get the opportunities that they deserve, there is no limit to what they can do,” Dr. Jill stated.
She lauded Kenyan women leaders “who have fought to be where they are” saying they are mentors to the next generation.
“Thank you for having the courage to run for office, to start a business, to push science to new places and thank you for mentoring the next generation of women,” she stated.
