During his historic state visit to Kenya, Finland’s President Alexander Stubb joined a group of Olympic legends, Kenyan athletes, and government officials for a challenging 6.5-kilometer morning jog through Nairobi’s iconic Karura Forest.
Despite chilly weather and intermittent rain, the team tackled a demanding route featuring muddy and slippery stretches, demonstrating resilience and camaraderie.
President Stubb was accompanied by Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Dr. Keriako Tobiko, Dr. Deborah Barasa, Principal Secretary for Forestry Gitonga Mugambi, Member of Parliament Ababu Namwamba, Kenya’s Permanent Representative to UNEP, and officials from the Ministry of Sports led by Director Jaxon Indakwa, among others. Officers from the Kenya Forest Service also participated in the run.
More than a fitness exercise, the event symbolized the strong partnership between Kenya and Finland in promoting sustainable conservation, sports tourism, and climate change advocacy.
Each step taken through Karura Forest reaffirmed the two countries’ mutual commitment to protecting green spaces within rapidly growing urban areas and fostering healthy lifestyles through sport.
The jog took place amid President Stubb’s three-day state visit to Kenya from May 12 to 14, 2025, marking the first-ever Finnish presidential visit to the country.
The visit celebrates 60 years of diplomatic relations between Finland and Kenya, with discussions focusing on bilateral ties, global challenges affecting Africa and Europe, and cooperation within the multilateral system.
During his stay, President Stubb also engaged with local NGOs, foreign policy experts, and university students, delivering a keynote speech on geopolitics and the transformation of the multilateral order at the University of Nairobi. He participated in business forums emphasizing sustainable urban development and healthcare innovation.
This collaborative morning run through Karura Forest highlighted the shared values and progressive partnership between Kenya and Finland, emphasizing environmental stewardship, promotion of sports, and climate action as pillars of their ongoing cooperation.
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