Slovenian president: I was pleasantly surprised to be honoured as Madaraka Day chief guest
Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar on Saturday, May 31, 2025, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the invitation to serve as the chief guest at Kenya’s Madaraka Day celebrations, calling the honour both unexpected and deeply meaningful.
Speaking during a joint press conference with President William Ruto at State House, Nairobi, President Musar said she was pleasantly surprised and honoured to be chosen to headline the national celebrations, which will take place on Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Homa Bay County, at the newly built Raila Odinga Stadium.
“Mr President thank you very much for such nice and warm words and warm welcome,” she began.
“If I start with Madaraka Day, I was pleasantly surprised and honoured to receive the invitation to go there and celebrate this national holiday with you, with your people and I am looking really really forward to be in other parts of Kenya tomorrow and celebrate this important day with you,” she added.
Her remarks highlighted the significance of the occasion, as Kenya commemorates 62 years since gaining internal self-rule in 1963 — a day marked by cultural pageantry, presidential addresses, and civic reflection.
“Once again Mr President and the people of Kenya I cannot tell you how much privileged I do feel to be here and especially I have to affirm this again because I didn’t honestly expect the invitation to be the speaker at your Madaraka Day,” she said.
“And believe me I will try to reveal my soul and the soul of the Slovenian people to your people tomorrow. And I am really looking forward to that and I am really sure I am going to spend three marvellous days in your country and Mr President, you are more than welcome to visit Slovenia anytime.”
A historic first visit
President Musar’s visit marks the first time a Slovenian Head of State has visited Kenya, 21 years after the two countries formally established diplomatic ties in 2004.
In their bilateral talks, Presidents Ruto and Musar focused on economic cooperation, regional peace and security, and climate action.
Both leaders emphasised shared values, particularly their belief in multilateralism, international law, and the reform of global institutions.
“I became a president two years and a half ago and I have never been to Africa as a president. Kenya is my first visit to African continent and I have to tell you that I am more than happy to be here because of one important thing, there are some others as well but one is really very important — and this is that Mr President [Ruto] and myself we both believe in multilateralism,” President Musar said.
“You know the world is having a lot of problems nowadays and believing in United Nations and international law and humanitarian law this is something very close to my heart and I know it is very close to the heart of your president as well. So Slovenia and Kenya are going to cooperate on this multilateral fora,” she added.
Climate and development partnerships
During her visit, President Musar is also scheduled to launch The Conduit, a new Climate Intelligence Hub at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), a key step in expanding climate resilience infrastructure in East Africa.
Her participation in Madaraka Day and official engagements with the Kenyan government signals Slovenia’s growing interest in Africa as a partner in sustainable development, innovation, and global governance reform.
As the national celebrations approach, President Musar’s presence at the podium in Homa Bay will underscore not just diplomatic ties, but the shared aspirations of two countries navigating a changing global order, grounded in mutual respect, international cooperation, and a common vision for a just world.
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Martin Oduor
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