Kenya–Russia relations

Kenya–Russia relations (Swahili: Uhusiano wa Kenya-Urusi) (Russian: Российско-кенийские отношения) are bilateral relations between Kenya and Russia. Russia had established diplomatic relations with Kenya on December 14, 1963, and has since maintained good relations with the African Great Lakes country.

Overview

During the Cold war, Kenya was part of the Non-aligned movement and thus maintained good relations with the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union even offered Kenyans scholarships to study in the country.

Visits

In October 2019, President Uhuru Kenyatta made a visit to Russia and attended the Russia Africa Summit in Sochi. Kenya and Russia agreed to form a business council which would oversee joint trade and investment programmes.^[1]

In November 2010, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov visited Nairobi. He had a conversation with the President of Kenya Mwai Kibaki and talks with Acting Foreign Minister George Saitoti. Lavrov was the first Russian Foreign Affairs minister to visit Kenya.^[2]

Trade

Bilateral trade reached a total of Kes.35.22 billion (US$340 million).

Kenya exported goods worth Kes.12.85 billion (US$124 million) and Russia exported goods worth Kes.22.37 billion (US$216 million) to Kenya in 2018, according to the Russian Export Centre.^[3]

The main goods Russia exports to Kenya are cereals, iron and steel, fertilizers and paper. Kenyan mainly exports cut flowers, coffee, tea, fruits and vegetables to Russia.^[1]

Development cooperation

Kenya is annually visited by about 10,000 Russian tourists. To strengthen Russian-Kenyan cooperation agreement in the field of tourism Najib Balala, Kenyan Tourism Minister, visited Moscow in March 2011 to participate in the International Tourism Exhibition.

Transport

In November 2009, the Kenyan delegation led by the Minister of Transport Chirau Ali Mwakwere participated in the First Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety in Moscow.

In 2010 JSC "Aeroflot - Russian Airlines" and "Kenya Airways' commercial agreement on joint operation of the route Moscow - Dubai - Nairobi, and Aeroflot was scheduled to perform passenger and cargo transportation on the route Moscow - Nairobi - Moscow.

Education

As of 2008, the Russian government and private companies have trained approximately 200 people. In addition, Russia annually grants Kenya 30 scholarships from the federal budget. The number dropped to 26 in 2010, because of organisational difficulties with the Kenyan side.

Diplomatic missions

Kenya has an embassy in Moscow.
Russia has an embassy in Nairobi.

References

^ ^a ^b [1]. Kenya-Russia agree to form business council as Presidents Kenyatta and Putin meet in Sochi. Retrieved on 27 October 2019.
^ [2]. Russia to invest in East Africa. Retrieved on 27 October 2019.
^ [3]. Russia's Vladimir Putin woos Kenya with military kit and energy. Retrieved on 27 October 2019.