President Uhuru Kenyatta today met with CORD leaders during a State Luncheon in honour of H.E. Park Geun-hye President of the Republic of South Korea at State House, Nairobi. Raila was accompanied by Moses Wetangula but Kalonzo Musyoka was missing in action.
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President Uhuru Kenyatta hosted a State Luncheon at State House, Nairobi in honor of H.E. Park Geun-hye, the then President of the Republic of South Korea, during her official visit to Kenya.
During this event, President Kenyatta met with leaders from the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) — the main opposition coalition at the time — in a rare display of political unity. The CORD coalition was led by prominent figures such as Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka, and Moses Wetang’ula.
Significance of the Meeting:
Bipartisanship: The luncheon brought together leaders from both the government and the opposition, signaling a moment of national unity and mutual respect in the context of international diplomacy.
Diplomatic Relations: The presence of both sides of Kenya’s political divide highlighted to President Park Geun-hye and her delegation that Kenya values stable governance and respects democratic institutions.
South Korea–Kenya Relations: The luncheon was part of a broader state visit focused on strengthening bilateral relations, including agreements on trade, technology transfer, education, and infrastructure development.
Context:
President Park’s 2016 African tour included visits to Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda, aimed at boosting South Korea’s economic and diplomatic ties with the continent. Kenya was a strategic stop due to its position as a regional economic hub.
