US First Lady Jill Biden is visiting Namibia and Kenya this week, her first trip to the continent as First Lady, amid a growing desire to foster ties with the United States.
She has been to Africa five times, including when her husband was Vice President in the Obama administration, but this will be her first time in Kenya and her third time in Namibia.
A senior US government official told reporters Tuesday that Dr. Biden will travel to both countries in line with decisions made at the recent US-Africa Summit in Washington, where President Joe Biden pledged greater commitment to Africa.
A White House statement said the Feb. 22-26 trip “will strengthen U.S. partnerships on the African continent and advance our shared priorities in the region.”
“Dr. Biden’s posts will focus on empowering women and youth, efforts to address food insecurity and promoting our shared democratic values,” the letter said.
“The offices of Dr. Biden will focus on empowering women and youth, efforts to address food insecurity and promoting our shared democratic values.”
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At the summit, Dr. Biden met with the wives of African leaders as they discussed women and social programs.
The official said her trip to Namibia will focus on youth, strengthening democracies and empowerment.
In Kenya, she will discuss the response to the drought that has so far affected more than half of the country’s districts.
The Journey of Dr. Jill Biden follows a visit by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and US Ambassador Linda Thomas Greenfield in January to foster closer US-Africa ties. During her stay in Kenya, she will meet with her counterpart Rachel Ruto and other senior officials.
