Panafrican News Agency

US First Lady arrives, visits wildlife orphanage during solo Africa visit

Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) - US First Lady Melania Trump, who arrived in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, late on Thursday, kicks off the third-leg of her solo visit to Africa with a visit to a popular wildlife conservancy on Friday.

The US First Lady was received upon arrival in Nairobi by her host, the Kenyan First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, hours after the airport terminal was cleared.

The Kenyan leg of the African tour appeared to lay less emphasis on a rigorous work schedule but a little more emphasis on the African culture.

The visit gets underway at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, a wildlife orphanage where wildlife most affected by climate change effects like drought, poaching and trade in wildlife species are given a sanctuary.

Mrs Kenyatta said on Twitter she was delighted to welcome to Kenya the US First Lady, who is in Africa to lend a helping hand to the work of US Agency for International Development (USAID) on health and education.

The Kenyan First Lady, who spent most of her time on wildlife conservation during President Uhuru Kenyatta's first term, has a tradition of accompanying honoured state guests to the wildlife orphanage.

Track champion Usain Bolt was among one of the world's leading personalities to adopt a Cheetah in Kenya to emphasise the need for wildlife conservation.

The wildlife orphanage takes care of elephants and the big cat family.

Later, the US First Lady is expected to visit State House in Nairobi, before attending a cultural event at the Kenya National Theatre for a series of cultural performances, according to the hosts.
-0- PANA AO/MA 5Oct2018