US Secretary of State John Kerry will arrive in Nairobi on May 3 for talks on a wide range of topics with a variety of leaders, the State Department announced on Monday.

A key aim of the top US diplomat's two-day visit will be "to reinforce the importance of our strong bilateral relationship", the State Department said.

Mr Kerry's meetings with government officials will focus on security cooperation between the US and Kenya, "particularly in light of the recent tragic attack at Garissa University College", the announcement added.

Refugee assistance, trade and biodiversity will also be on the agenda of talks with business leaders, opposition politicians, humanitarian aid workers and civil society representatives, as well as with government ministers, the State Department said.

"This visit will focus on our common goals, including accelerating economic growth, strengthening democratic institutions, and improving regional security," the US added.

Mr Kerry's trip will take place two-and-a-half months prior to President Barack Obama's scheduled visit to Kenya in July.

After leaving Nairobi on May 5, the Mr Kerry will travel to Djibouti for talks on efforts to support evacuations from war-torn Yemen.

Mr Kerry will also meet with US military personnel at Camp Lemonnier, a large US installation housing a joint-services task force that carries out counter-terrorism missions in the Horn of Africa.