Princess Lalla Asmaa of Morocco made a three-day visit to Kenya, strengthening collaboration in children’s health, education, and empowerment.
Upon her arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Princess Lalla Asmaa was warmly welcomed by Kenya’s First Lady, Her Excellency Rachel Ruto, marking the start of a visit focused on forging stronger ties between Kenya and Morocco. The visit featured a series of high-level engagements and landmark agreements designed to expand access to specialized healthcare and support for children with hearing impairments.
A major highlight of the visit was the launch of a joint medical initiative at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) in Nairobi: a cochlear-implant programme developed through Kenya-Morocco cooperation. This programme aims to improve access to ear, nose, and throat (ENT) care for children suffering from severe hearing loss,a critical step toward inclusive healthcare.
In a significant gesture, Princess Lalla Asmaa’s foundation donated medical devices valued at approximately KSh 120 million to the Kenyan Ministry of Health under the “Voice of Children” programme. This generous contribution will help restore hearing and enhance the quality of life for countless Kenyan children, reinforcing efforts to provide equitable and inclusive care.
Further cementing the partnership, an official MoU was signed between Kenya and Morocco, institutionalizing cooperation in hearing health, clinical training, and specialist medical missions. This agreement is expected to facilitate ongoing knowledge exchange and capacity building, enabling Kenya to benefit from Morocco’s pioneering experience in pediatric audiology and rehabilitation.
Princess Lalla Asmaa is internationally recognized for her advocacy for children with hearing disabilities. Through the Lalla Asmaa Foundation, over 850 deaf children in Morocco have received cochlear implants and integrated medical-educational support,a model now being shared with 21 African countries and beyond.
Her visit to Kenya represents a concrete extension of this impactful work, demonstrating the value of cross-border partnerships in tackling shared health and education challenges.
First Lady Rachel Ruto hailed the visit as a testament to “the warm friendship between our two nations, and our shared commitment to community uplift initiatives, particularly in the areas of health, education, and child empowerment.” She added, “It is an honour to host Your Royal Highness, and we look forward to productive engagements during your stay in Kenya,engagements that pave the way toward ensuring every child has access to the opportunities and care they deserve.”
Princess Lalla Asmaa’s visit has paved new ground for Kenya-Morocco cooperation, delivering a powerful message of solidarity and hope for children and families across the continent.
