Minister Richmond begins week long visit to Kenya and Tanzania

Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond, will begin a week long visit to Kenya and Tanzania for Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations today. The visit marks Minister Richmond’s first official visit to Africa as Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora.

Minister Richmond will meet political leaders, business people and the Irish diaspora in Kenya and Tanzania, and see the vital impact of Ireland’s development aid programme and growing trade links in both countries.

Speaking ahead of the visit, Minister Richmond said:

“This is a significant visit to strengthen Ireland’s economic, political and development ties with two important African countries.

“Ireland has a proud legacy in both Kenya and Tanzania that continues through the work of the Irish Aid programme and our NGO and UN partners operating in the region. Ireland remains committed to this vital work which helps thousands of people, crucially women and girls, and those with disabilities.

"While the impact of climate change and conflict is threatening the lives and livelihoods of many people in both countries, there are also critical opportunities to build peace and bolster innovation and development.

"I look forward to meeting with political, humanitarian and development partners to discuss how Ireland can continue to contribute in both Kenya and Tanzania. I will also be meeting with members of the business community who are helping to drive increased trade, business and tourism links between Ireland and Africa.”

In Nairobi on Tuesday, Minister Richmond will meet with UN agencies, members of the Irish community, and development and humanitarian organisations.

The Minister is expected to announce over €1.5 million in funding to UN and Civil Society organisations, including €1 million to United Nations Children agency - UNICEF.

The Minister will travel to West Pokot in Kenya on Wednesday (12 March), where he will visit Irish Aid programmes focused on climate action and meet with students of Nasokol Girls High School who are taking part in Young Scientist Kenya, a programme supported by Ireland to encourage STEM education.

On Thursday (13 March), Minister Richmond will meet with Roseline Njogu, Principal Secretary for Diaspora Affairs in Kenya, before being joined at a Saint Patrick’s Day reception by Rebecca Miano, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife.

Minister Richmond will meet Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, the Tanzanian Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Community on Friday morning (14 March) in Dar es Salaam. He will visit a Kerry Group manufacturing facility and then meet members of the Irish community and friends of Ireland in Tanzania at a Saint Patrick’s Day reception later that evening.

On Saturday, the Minister will visit a local health facility and meet health partners in Tanga region, where Ireland’s programme is focused on health services for women and children. The Minister will later that day visit Tanzania’s Livestock Research Institute (TALIRI), which partners with Teagasc.

On Sunday, (16 March), the Minister will visit the Children’s Cancer Care Unit at Muhilimbili Hospital and later visit an energy efficiency laboratory at Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology, before departing the city.