The Finnish president along with the first lady Suzanne Innes-Stubb paid a multipurpose visit to Kenya and had broad and diverse discussions with his Kenyan counterpart, William Ruto with the agenda topping strengthening bilateral ties with particular emphasis in business, peace-building and democracy.
Stubb, who is the first Finnish president to ever officially visit Kenya, was delivering the Western values; a region is already haunted by China’s influence and the Russian propaganda campaign.
President Stubb, an outstanding negotiator and way-out seeker for the current Russia-Western conflict caused by Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, conveyed a clear message to Kenya’s leader on this issue and pointed fingers at those challenging world order and universal peace, particularly Putin.
During a tête-à-tête in Nairobi, President Stubb and President Ruto reflected on their nations’ 60-year diplomatic relations. Stubb praised Kenya’s commitment to multilateralism and its role in promoting regional peace and security, especially the ongoing conflicts in the Eastern Africa region. The two leaders emphasized the growing diplomatic and development cooperation between their countries, particularly in business, peace building, mediation, and democracy.
Finland and Kenya had signed two memoranda of understanding (MoUs): one relating to political consultation, and the other to peace mediation and conflict resolution.
In his lecture at the University of Nairobi, Stubb highlighted international multilateralism and the role of the youth domestically and globally. Youth in Kenya and generally in Africa are over-present in their population, but domestic instability, employment scarcity, and ill-fated education possibilities plunge them into desperate situations.
I gave a speech on geopolitics at the University of Nairobi.
My message to students is: You have agency. You will decide how the world will look like. pic.twitter.com/5e7TG9OO2k
— Alexander Stubb (@alexstubb) May 13, 2025
President Ruto voiced how grateful he is on behalf of his country, coping with corruption, deeply rooted unemployment, and security threats from the active terrorist elements in Somalia and inactive in Kenya. The president welcomed with commitment and promised to leverage Finland’s expertise in the fields of education, technology, renewable energy, and actions against climate change.
Kenya has been accused of meddling with internal affairs of Sudan by where human rights violations occur almost daily. Meanwhile Kenya publicly disavowed support for rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), many commentators believe it is actively operating within the DRC, backing figures linked to insurgents. This approach reflects how Kenya’s leaders exploit fragile states.
Kenya holds relations with its Western allies on one hand and China and Russia on the other, seeking opportunities from both sides.
The Finnish Embassy in Nairobi team led by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Pirkka Tapio were reportedly busy round the clock to prepare the landmark visit of the President Alexander Stubb and First Lady Suzanne Innes-Stubb during their state visit in Kenya. The Ambassador’s diplomatic scope and representation reaches to Uganda, Seychelles, Eritrea and Somalia.
President Stubb and the social media in Kenya
Reactions to President Stubb’s state visit to Kenya sparked social media commentary, largely praising his unassuming demeanor. Many applauded his decision to travel on a passenger flight alongside ordinary travelers. Other positive remarks highlighted his athleticism during a joint honorary marathon with Kenya’s elite runners, his engagement with students at Nairobi University, and his interactions with civil society activists in Nairobi.
Russia already filing the Vacuum left by the US and allies
The US Aid cuts to Africa followed by closing embassies at several African countries is giving a foothold to Russia and China’s expanding influence on various investment projects through its Road and Belt Initiatives, which left no choice to some African countries, among these countries include but not to Kenya among others. This has led the unexpected cancelation of US Secretary of State’s visit to Kenya.
Another unnecessary move and false statement by Trump got media attention in the White House where Trump confronted the South African President claiming that Modern South Africa practices discrimination and eviction actions against South Africa’s Afrikaners, a Minority group of South Africa.
The latest humiliation of the African heads of states by Trump was South African president at the white house, blaming his country of discrimination and eviction targeting Afrikaners. The unfortunate incident was that the Photos presented by the Trump were not necessarily related to South African affairs, but about women being killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
These actions, seen by other African presidents, only put them closer to China and Russia, and distance them from Western values.
Whereas Russia has waged an African disinformation campaign by launching Africa Media Hub in Addis Ababa, followed by hefty tour visits to Russia both African leaders and journalists strengthening its campaign in Africa.
Already France lost old partners in the West African region and is apparently allied with Russia. Undoubtedly, Putin has no money to buy African leaders but has weapons to give them, and allegedly he did that.
The West’s influence in Africa is diminishing day in and day out and many corrupt leaders in Africa are availing China’s money and Russia’s weapons in return for showing the West exit doors. In a nutshell, China’s money invested in Africa is huge trap and Russia’s weapons poured into Africa are difficult to know and monitor.
However, Analysts say that President Stubb’s visit to East Africa possibly amend already broken relations and lost trust between Africa, Europe, and the US-led West could make some relief, but not in the longer term.
Tanzania and the Legacy of Marti Ahtisaar
President Stubbs’ second official state visit was Tanzania, where Finnish footprints in the country go more than 60 years back. Besides meetings and discussions with Tanzanian leaders, Stubb participated Martti Ahtisaaari Legacy Seminar in Dar es Salaam.
Its Noteworthy to mention that honored Former Finnish President Nobel Peace Laureate, and internationally recognized and respected Peace broker Marti Ahtisaari started his career in Tanzania as Finnish Ambassador to Tanzania. The seminar attracted peace-mongers and social development activists.
Stubb’s mission to consolidate the unsteady World Order and the timing of his tour in the region
The timing of Stubb’s visit to East Africa pushed analysts to contemplate the role of Finland in counterbalancing Russia’s influence generally in Africa and particularly in East Africa. But let us take into account what is happening now in the region while President Stubb was there.
In order to expand the approach, President Stubb should consider meeting with African Union leaders in Addis Ababa and engaging the Union’s support to ending hostility in the Africa and supporting peace meditations globally.
Finland Foreign minister’s peace and mediation envoy to Horn of Africa
Finland’s unique approach to peace in the Horn of Africa is embodied in the role of the Foreign Minister’s Special Envoy for Peace Mediation to the Horn of Africa, Suldaan Said Ahmed. Originally from the region, Envoy Said Ahmed brings invaluable knowledge of the region’s complex ethnic and cultural dynamics, socio-political landscape, and evolving geopolitics. His background enables him to address the region’s challenges effectively within Finland’s peace mediation framework.
Can Finland save its role as a human rights defender in the World of deals?
Stubb’s move to market Finnish companies in Africa and his unyielding position in the inner circle of World Politics makes the Tiny Country a significant influencer, which is part and parcel of the movements of rewriting the World Order and creating mutual interest-based deals.
Owing that, the President had in his delegation in Kenya a significant business entity to make business deals with Kenya, a fast-growing business partner with Europe.
However, such business deals can and should be pursued while ensuring human rights are respected, democracy upheld, climate action prioritized, and anti-corruption mechanisms strengthened.
It is also incontestable that President Stubb plays a commendable role in the efforts of bringing the already derailing World Order back on the rails and creating conducive diplomacy to help the countries co-exist in harmony. But, while the World is in turmoil, it is a time we need more committed and dedicated leaders to defuse explosive situations and pacify the World. If there is a will there is a way!
The world is big enough for all of us. Let us dwell in peace, remembering we leave this earth with nothing. To achieve this, let us embrace Lincoln’s wisdom: ‘with malice toward none, with charity for all”.
Author of this article
The author is chief editor of Finnish-Somali media network, media trainer and peace advocate and.He writes about peace and conflict solution in Horn of Africa.He can be reached via email: abdimusem@yahoo.com
