BIDEN IS HERE

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 7 - United States vice president Joe Biden has arrived in Kenya for a three-day visit.

The plane carrying his entourage touched down at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 8.25pm.

Mr Biden who is on a week-long trip to Africa spent a better part of Monday in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.

Mr Biden is accompanied in Kenya by his wife Dr Jill Biden and other senior officials from Washington.

On arrival in Nairobi, Mr Biden will meet with key leaders in Kenya, including President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

“In addition to discussing a range of bilateral issues, the Vice President will address America’s shared interests in peace and stability in the region, particularly in Sudan and Somalia,” a statement from the US Embassy said.

It said the Vice President would also deliver a major speech underscoring the importance of the United States-Kenya relations at Kenyatta International Conference Centre.

In his speech, the embassy said, the Vice President will discuss Kenya’s great promise and the need to work together to meet regional challenges.

During his tour, Mr Biden will visit the August 7th Memorial Park and lay a wreath. He is also due to meet the Speaker of the National Assembly Kenneth Marende and the Reform Caucus of Parliamentarians.

He is scheduled to deliver a major speech underscoring the importance of the United States-Kenya relations at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre on Wednesday morning before he departs for South Africa on Thursday.