Nairobi — His Majesty King Letsie III has arrived in Kenya for a three-day official visit aimed at addressing Africa's worsening food insecurity crisis under the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Zero Hunger Initiative.

The visit comes as hunger continues to increase across the world, with an estimated 318 million people facing food insecurity. Africa accounts for about 175 million of those affected, while nearly 60 per cent of the continent's population experiences moderate or severe food insecurity.

His Majesty's visit follows an invitation from the IFRC, which has raised concern over the growing humanitarian impact of food shortages across Africa.

During the visit, King Letsie III is expected to hold talks with Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto on issues of mutual interest, including food security and humanitarian cooperation.

The King will also travel to Taita Taveta County, where he will visit drought-affected communities to witness first-hand the challenges faced by people affected by prolonged drought and the increasing threat to food security.

On Wednesday, His Majesty will conclude the visit by keynote address at a high-level meeting attended by development partners, donors and members of the diplomatic community. The meeting is expected to discuss ways of strengthening efforts to address food insecurity across the continent.

The IFRC is the world's largest humanitarian and development network, bringing together 191 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, millions of volunteers and a central secretariat. Its mission is to promote humanitarian action aimed at preventing and reducing human suffering.

King Letsie III is accompanied by Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Selibe Mochoboroane, Lesotho's Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union, Ms. Ntsiuoa Sekete, as well as other senior government officials.

The visit is expected to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Lesotho and Kenya on humanitarian matters while helping to mobilise greater support for food security interventions across Africa.