U.S First Lady Jill Biden To Visit Kenya and Namibia this Week

US first lady Jill Biden will travel to Kenya and Namibia this week. This will be her first visit to the continent since becoming first lady as the White House looks to strengthen ties with the region.

According to the White House, the visit by Jill Biden to sub-Saharan Africa, begins on Wednesday and will wrap on Sunday. It comes ahead of expected visits by her husband President Joe Biden and other senior administration officials later this year.

A senior administration official previewing the trip said the purpose of her trip is to reaffirm the US government’s investments in Africa, not just in their governments, but in their people and to continue her work to empower women and young people.

Another senior administration official described the trip as a “demonstration of President Biden’s commitment that the United States is all in on Africa and all in with Africa”.

The first lady will arrive on Wednesday in Namibia, where her efforts are really focused on the role of young people in continuing to shape their democracy and advance health cooperation.

She will then make her way to Kenya, where food insecurity and the impact of drought in the Horn of Africa will be her main focus.

She will also meet with the first ladies of each country and engage with organizations that work on youth engagement and women’s empowerment, including issues relating to gender-based violence.