Jubilee Party presidential hopeful Fred Matiang'i when he hosted Israel's Ambassador to Kenya, Gideon Behar /HANDOUTJubilee Party presidential hopeful Fred Matiang'i on Thursday hosted Israel's Ambassador to Kenya, Gideon Behar, in the latest diplomaic engagement involving senior opposition figures.
Matiang'i, who is a principal in the United Opposition coalition, disclosed the meeting through a post on his social media platforms, describing it as a courtesy call.
"I was pleased to receive Gideon Behar, Ambassador of the State of Israel to Kenya, for a courtesy call," Matiang'i said.
"I sincerely appreciate his thoughtful insights and perspectives on our country. Constructive dialogue remains essential in strengthening partnerships and advancing our shared aspirations."
The former Interior Cabinet Secretary did not divulge the specific issues discussed during the meeting.
The courtesy call comes after Matiang'i met Dr Jendayi Frazer, the former United States Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs and former US Ambassador to South Africa.
Sharing details of that engagement, Matiang'i said the discussions focused on Kenya and the wider region.
"I had the distinct honour of receiving Dr Jendayi Frazer, former US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs and former United States Ambassador to South Africa, during a courtesy call," he said.
"I sincerely appreciate Dr Frazer's insightful and positive reflections on Kenya and the broader region. Her wealth of diplomatic experience and thoughtful perspectives made for a highly enriching and educative engagement."
The meeting with Ambassador Behar also comes shortly after Jubilee Party leader and former President Uhuru Kenyatta hosted United States Chargé d'Affaires Susan Burns at his Ichaweri home in Gatundu, Kiambu county.
Uhuru shared photographs of Monday's courtesy call on his social media pages but did not disclose the agenda of the meeting or provide details of the discussions.
Similarly, the US Embassy has not publicly commented on the engagement.
Burns' meeting with the former Head of State formed part of a series of diplomatic engagements the senior American envoy has held with leaders from across Kenya's political divide.
Matiang'i, who has emerged as one of the leading figures in the United Opposition, has stepped up his public engagements in recent months as the coalition seeks to position itself against President William Ruto's Kenya Kwanza administration.
While the meetings have been described as courtesy calls, they underscore the continued engagement between Kenya's political leaders and members of the diplomatic community on issues relating to governance, regional affairs and bilateral cooperation.
Diplomatic missions routinely meet leaders from both the government and opposition as part of their broader engagement with Kenya's political landscape.
Neither the Israeli Embassy nor Matiang'i's office provided additional details on the agenda of Thursday's meeting beyond the remarks shared by the former Cabinet Secretary.
