This archive report was first published on 22 October 2019.
On October 22, 2019, Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta and First Lady Margaret Kenyatta attended the grand enthronement ceremony of Japan's Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan.
The ceremony, attended by over 170 world leaders, marked the beginning of Emperor Naruhito's reign, who pledged to uphold the Japanese Constitution and contribute to the friendship and peace of the international community.
Emperor Naruhito, 59, who took over from his father Emperor Akihito, delivered his speech from a raised canopied throne during the 30-minute ceremony, dressed in a colourful Japanese traditional attire.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan assured the new emperor of his support and that of the whole country as he officially takes over the throne.
Kenya is the leading development partner of Japan in Africa, and the Asian economic giant has supported Kenya's development agenda with investments in renewable energy, infrastructure, water, health, education, and technology transfer among other sectors.
Japan has been one of Kenya's outstanding partners in the development of geothermal power resources, especially the Olkaria complex in Naivasha, a project that has earned the country international recognition as an African leader in renewable energy development.
