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Colombia’s Vice-President Francia Elena Márquez Mina arrived in Kenya on Sunday evening for a three-day official visit to strengthen the two nations’ existing bilateral ties.
Márquez Mina, the first black woman elected Vice President in Columbia’s history, will be hosted by her counterpart Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Márquez Mina, 41, arrived at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Sunday. East African Community and Regional Development Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano welcomed her into the country.
Kenya and Colombia have had friendly relations since 1967 when the two countries first established diplomatic relations.
The VP’s visit follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultations by the two countries in 2021, primarily strengthening their collaboration and engagements.
“It is an honor to host Her Excellency the Vice President of Colombia on her historic and first visit to Africa, which aims to bring Africa, and particularly our two countries, closer together,” Gachagua said ahead of the visit.
During her visit, Colombia’s Vice President will meet with Gachagua, and the two leaders are expected to discuss various issues of mutual interest to the two countries. They’re also scheduled to speak at a business forum before being hosted at State House by President William Ruto.
Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration shares Colombian President Gustavo Petro and Márquez Mina’s story of beating the odds and rising to power.
Both governments took office in the second half of last year, defying many expectations and promising to fight for the little guy at the bottom of the economic pyramid.
Márquez Mina ascended from cleaner to the second highest office. Their victory has been termed ‘A time for the Nobodies,’ which connects with the Kenya Kwanza government’s Bottom-Up approach to empower poor Kenyans to attain wealth.
Márquez Mina is known as a fighter for Afro-Columbian rights. Her rise to power shows that Columbians are ready to look beyond the usual leaders and give the reins to activists.
“Under the premise that all dignity has been restored, Vice President Mina is determined to work on improving lives until dignity becomes customary,” stated the Colombian Embassy in Kenya before her arrival.
Colombia is enacting a policy called “Reconnecting with Africa,” which intends to bring Africa closer to South America and the Caribbean.
The visit is a continuation of a decades-long collaboration. The Kenyan government is working with the Colombian government on various projects, including agriculture, environmental protection, science and technology, culture, and education.
Trade between the two countries has steadily increased but still low. Kenya’s exports to Colombia have climbed from $98,000 (Sh13.3 million) in 1995 to $2.1 million (Sh272 million) in 2021.
Márquez Mina’s rise to power has not sat well with some in Columbia. Luz Fabiola Rubiano, a 62-year-old woman, was convicted of racial discrimination and harassment.
“Apes are now governing us,” Rubiano said in the video. “Francia Márquez is an ape … what education can Black people have? They steal, attack and kill.”
Rubiano has pleaded guilty to the charges. She will be sentenced on May 30.
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