Amidst light showers, the Royals were seen off by President Ruto and First Lady Mama Rachel at the Moi International Airport in Mombasa on Friday afternoon after their four-day State visit to Kenya came to an end.
The royal couple arrived in Mombasa on Thursday and were welcomed by President Ruto at Mtongwe Naval Base, where the King inspected a guard of honor mounted by the Kenya Navy. He then witnessed the Kenya Navy Marine Commandos (KNMC) conduct amphibious landing drills at Mtongwe jetty.
Afterwards, King Charles III visited Nyali where he was gifted a recycled plastic chair by a Mombasa youth group of recyclers named FlipFlopi. The Swahili plastic chair was crafted using discarded plastic bottles collected from individuals who frequent the shores.
Also read: Royal Visit: The Do’s and Don’ts of the Monarch
This is a historic moment for Kenya and Africa as a whole. The Royal visit has garnered global attention as many eagerly await its results.
The United Kingdom and Kenya are striving to enhance and revise their ties in response to appeals from diverse human rights organizations and the Kenyan populace for King Charles to officially offer a formal apology and pay reparations for the historical wrongdoings committed by colonial Britain in Kenya.
In a closed-door meeting on Friday, they started by meeting several religious leaders at Mombasa’s ACK Memorial Cathedral and AI Mandhry Mosque. The King highlighted the work of the Coast Interfaith Council of Clerics and the importance of peace, security, and development.
At Tononoka Social Hall, the Queen met survivors of sexual and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) where she shared insights from working with survivors in this area and how they are supported.
Earlier, the King had a secret meeting with families of freedom fighters including Evelyn Kimathi, Alphonce Mkare, Ambrose Tarus, and Richard Langat who are members of Dedan Kimathi, Mekatilili wa Menza, Koitalel arap Samoei and Tapsimate arap Borowo families, respectively.
The King also met Mzee Gitu wa Kahengeri, the chairperson of the Mau Mau Veterans Association, who played a vital role in seeking compensation for victims of colonial atrocities.
According to a statement by the UK High Commission to Kenya, the meeting provided an opportunity for King Charles to hear first-hand about the violence meted out against Kenyans during the independence struggle.
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The monarch would also experience Mombasa’s renowned tuk-tuk tradition, arriving in style at Fort Jesus in an electric tuk-tuk. A favored means of transportation in the coastal city.
Adios your Majesties!
