Russia's President Putin Sends Jamhuri Day Message To Ruto

Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a special message to President William Ruto ahead of the Jamhuri Day celebrations on Monday, December 12.

In a statement shared by the Russian Embassy in Kenya, Putin congratulated Kenya's fifth president for leading the country in the historic celebrations at the Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi.

He further praised the relations between Russia and Kenya which have traditionally been friendly adding that he was convinced that the further development of the relations will meet the interests of the citizens of both nations.

President Ruto prays with CSs at State House before leaving for Nyayo Stadium for the Jamhuri Day celebrations on December 12, 2022. /TWITTER

"Please accept my sincere congratulations on the occasion of the National Day of Kenya - Jamhuri Day. The relations between our countries are traditionally friendly.

"I am convinced that their further development in various spheres meets the fundamental interests of Russian and Kenyan peoples and is in line with strengthening the stability and security of the African continent," the letter read in part.

He expressed hope that the developments in different spheres of the relationship between Kenya and Russia will progress "in line with strengthening stability and security on the African continent." 

"I wish you good health and success, as well as happiness and prosperity to all Kenyan citizens," Putin added.

President Ruto led the country in marking the Jamhuri Day celebrations in a notably changed format, introducing themes that will be commonplace in national celebrations going forward.

Notably, Russia was among the first world governments to congratulate Ruto after he clinched the presidency in the August 9 general elections.

In a statement on Thursday, August 18, the embassy expressed optimism on behalf of Russia that they were looking forward to strengthening ties between the two countries as well as deepening cooperation.

"The Embassy of the Russia Federation in the Republic of Kenya has the honour to congratulate H.E Dr William Samoei Ruto upon the announcement of him being elected as the President of Kenya.

"The Embassy of Russia is looking forward to continuing and further developing comprehensive and mutually beneficial cooperation with Kenya. We are confident that the friendly relations between our two countries and peoples will be reinvigorated and further strengthened," the statement read in part. 

It is worth it to note that Russia has been at war with Ukraine since the country invaded the latter on February 24, 2022. This was a major escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War that began in 2014. 

It caused Europe's largest refugee crisis since World War II, with more than 9.1 million Ukrainians fleeing the country and a third of the population getting displaced.

Fomer President Uhuru Kenyatta officially received by the President of Russia Vladimir Putin when he attended the welcoming ceremony of the inaugural Russia-Africa Summit in Sochi, Russia in 2019. /PSCU