Residents of Kawangware were left in awe on Tuesday evening after Finnish President Alexander Stubb and First Lady Suzanne Innes-Stubb made a surprise visit to the informal settlement in Nairobi, turning what was an ordinary day into an unforgettable experience for many locals.
The visit was part of a bigger plan to assess how far a digital connectivity project has come. This project is funded by the European Union and Finnfund and is aimed at helping close the digital gap in underserved areas like Kawangware.
The Finnish First Couple walked through the narrow paths of the settlement, meeting residents and visiting places where the digital project is being implemented. Their presence caught many by surprise, especially since such high-profile leaders rarely come to such neighborhoods.
But on this evening, it was different. The smiles, handshakes, and conversations with the locals brought a sense of importance and recognition to an area often forgotten by mainstream leaders.
Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communication and Technology, William Kabogo, shared several photos from the visit, showing President Stubb and his wife speaking with residents and listening keenly to young people involved in local tech programs.
Kabogo said, “This evening, I am honored to have received Finnish President Alexander Stubb and First Lady Suzanne Innes-Stubb during their visit to Kawangware to explore a digital connectivity programme.”
His statement was posted on his official X account, accompanied by images that showed the Finnish guests deeply engaged with the community.The visit was not just by the Finnish couple alone.
They were joined by a team of top Kenyan leaders, including Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, ICT Principal Secretary Eng. John Tanui, Broadcasting and Telecommunications PS Stephen Isaboke, and Dagoretti South MP Hon. John Kiarie, who is also the chair of the National Assembly Committee on Communication, Information and Innovation.
Their presence highlighted the importance of the project and gave locals some assurance that the government is serious about improving digital access.Many residents who spoke to local reporters shared their excitement and hope.
They said that for once, their community felt seen. They believe that such visits will help speed up development in areas like internet access, digital literacy, and job creation for the youth.
“We’ve never had such leaders walk these streets. Maybe now things will change”. One resident said.
This visit by the Finnish leaders not only shone a light on the ongoing tech efforts in Kawangware but also brought new energy and optimism to a community that rarely receives global attention.
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