Nairobi, Kenya- June 4th, 2025- His Excellency Peter K. Lavahun, Sierra Leone’s newly designated High Commissioner to Kenya, formally presented his letters of credence to His Excellency Dr. William Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya, at State House in Nairobi.
During the ceremony, H.E. Lavahun reaffirmed his strong commitment to strengthening the diplomatic relationship between Sierra Leone and Kenya, emphasizing the mutual benefits that deeper cooperation will bring to both nations. He began by conveying warm greetings and best wishes from President Julius Maada Bio and the people of Sierra Leone to President Ruto, the government, and the citizens of Kenya.
Expressing profound gratitude to President Bio for entrusting him with this distinguished diplomatic responsibility, H.E. Lavahun reflected on his previous professional experience in Kenya. He recalled his tenure as a liaison officer between the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and the Sierra Leone Armed Forces, which were deployed to Somalia for peacekeeping missions.
“I am deeply honoured to serve as Sierra Leone’s envoy to this great nation. Kenya holds special significance for me, as I previously worked here as a liaison officer at the Kenya Defence Forces Headquarters during the joint peacekeeping mission in Somalia. When President Bio informed me of my appointment, I told him I was returning home,” he remarked.
H.E. Lavahun apprised and highlighted Kenya’s invaluable contributions to Sierra Leone over the years, acknowledging the sacrifices Kenya made during Sierra Leone’s civil war by providing troops to the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission. He also recognized Kenya’s financial and humanitarian support during the Ebola epidemic, including the deployment of medical personnel, as well as Kenya’s assistance in providing electronic tablets for Sierra Leone’s 2021 Mid-Term Housing and Population Census.
Outlining his diplomatic priorities, H.E. Lavahun emphasized his commitment to implementing existing agreements between Sierra Leone and Kenya while identifying new areas of collaboration. His agenda focuses on enhancing cooperation in trade and investment, healthcare, security, agriculture, and sustainable development, particularly in green energy initiatives.
In his aphoristic response, President William Ruto welcomed the new High Commissioner, extending his best wishes and reaffirming Kenya’s dedication to strengthening bilateral relations with Sierra Leone. He emphasized Kenya’s commitment to fostering mutually beneficial opportunities between the two nations.
Accompanying H.E. Lavahun at the presentation ceremony were his wife, Mrs. Fatmata Bintu Lavahun; Mr. Abdul Karim Kargbo, Minister Plenipotentiary at the Sierra Leone High Commission in Kenya; Mr. Henry Nyandemoh, Minister-Counsellor and Head of Chancery; and some members of the diplomatic staff.
Peter K. Lavahun is a distinguished graduate of Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone. He holds a Master’s degree in Peace and Development Studies from Njala University and a Master’s degree in Military Science and Strategic Studies from the prestigious National Defence University in China. He also completed studies at the Defence Institute of International Legal Studies in the United States.
With his impeccable academic credentials and extensive military experience, H.E. Lavahun is exceptionally insightful and well-equipped to strengthen diplomatic ties between Sierra Leone and Kenya, as well as other countries accredited to the Sierra Leone Mission in Nairobi.
Also, as erstwhile military man, H.E. Lavahun is ebullient, veracious, unfazed, and stands poised, sharing the emotional commitment of President Bio in making and forging all relevant connections for possible investment opportunities in Sierra Leone.
A.B. Dakowa
SLHC, Kenya.
