President Kenyatta to meet three world leaders within a week - here's what to expect

His busy itinerary will kick off with a visit to the White House on August 26 to meet US President Donald Trump before he hosts UK Prime Minister Theresa May at State House, Nairobi, four days later.

He will then head out to China where is expected to meet with President Xi Jingpin on September 1.

The three different meetings will serve as avenues of “positioning Kenya globally," according to Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Monica Juma.

Here is what to expect from the bilateral engagements with the three leaders:

Aug 26: Trump to host President Kenyatta at the White House

The first of Kenyatta's busy itinerary will see him travel to the White House at the invite of US President Donald Trump.

In a statement, the White House said Kenya is a "vital partner of the United States."

Even though there are mixed reactions to the trip, political analysts are of the view that the meeting means well for Kenyan democracy.

The two leaders will discuss ways to bolster trade and investment between the two countries while strengthening security cooperation.

Kenya is a significant recipient of US foreign assistance based on economic stability, security, health, education, environment, rule of law, and democratic governance.

Kenya also enjoys preferential trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa).

US exports to Kenya include agricultural products, aircraft parts, and machinery with imports including apparel, coffee, and tea.

The meeting also comes ahead of the commencement of direct flights from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to New York in October.

Aug 30: Theresa May to meet Uhuru at State House

Mr Kenyatta will on August 30 host British Prime Minister Theresa May in Nairobi.

Foreign Affairs CS Monica Juma said the two leaders will discuss issues on trade, security and a joint fight against corruption.

The President will seek to secure Kenya’s business interests post-Brexit in addition to proposals that will improve the ease of trading with Britain.

She also added that talks with May will be focused on strengthening the existing security pact between Kenya and the UK.

The UK has remained the Kenya’s top overseas investor with over Sh128 billion in trade.

Kenya has a favourable balance of trade with Britain with Nairobi having exported Sh38.55 billion worth of goods to the UK in 2017 while importing a similar amount of goods valued at Sh30 billion.

Britain is also the largest source market for Kenya’s tourism, with 168,000 British nationals having visited the country last year.

Dr Juma also stated that talks are in high gear to have the United Kingdom visa office re-established in Nairobi to ease the process of acquiring travel documents by Kenyans.

September 1: China President Xi Jingpin to hold talks with President Kenyatta

Mr Kenyatta will conclude his itinerary with a visit to China to meet President Xi Jingpin.

At the same time, he will attend the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit (FOCAC) with at least 50 Heads of State expected to attend.

China and African leaders will map out the blueprint for the new era and discuss the measures to enhance mutual cooperation and development.

When asked about the East-West trade war between China and the US, Dr Juma said: "Our relationship with the US is getting better, and so is our relationship with China. There is no contradiction. This just goes to show that Kenya is ready to stand with everybody."