Русский
The Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has met with Musalia Mudavadi, the Kenyan Foreign Affairs Minister, in Moscow. Lavrov said after the meeting that the two sides focused on defining new directions for bilateral cooperation and coordinating positions on international issues.
He stated that “I have no doubt that our discussions in Moscow will make it possible to provide new impetus to our political dialogue and outline ways to further deepen trade and economic cooperation. Culture, education, and other humanitarian ties remain important parts of the partnership.”
The parties agreed to accelerate the signing of documents that will contribute to the development of Russia-Kenya cooperation, Lavrov added. They also discussed political developments in the region, as well as the work of the African Union and other sub-regional organizations in which Kenya plays a significant role. Lavrov added that Moscow and Nairobi considered prospects for cooperation in security and counterterrorism and in expanding media ties. In response to journalists’ questions, Lavrov said, “Mr. Mudavadi expressed his interest in concluding an agreement on labor migration between our countries in order to address the issue of providing jobs for citizens of Russia’s partner countries on a permanent and sustainable basis. We will work on this.”
Mudavadi said Kenya sees scope to expand cooperation with Russia in education, noting that more than 3,500 Kenyans have studied in Russia since Kenyan independence and about 70 currently receive Russian scholarships every year. He added that around 9,000 Russian tourists visited Kenya in 2025. He also pointed to opportunities for cooperation in energy and agriculture, while noting that bilateral trade currently totals about US$500–US$600 million and has the potential to grow. He added, “Russia has technologies in nuclear energy. We would also like to expand our energy potential.”
Lavrov and Mudavadi also agreed to prepare an intergovernmental agreement to establish a Russian–Kenyan Commission on Economic Cooperation and discussed cooperation between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the East African Community (EAC). The EAEU includes Russia as well as Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. The EAC includes Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania.
The Kenyan delegation’s visit to Russia runs from March 15 to 18 and takes in numerous visits to factories and meetings with potential Russian and Kenyan partners and investors.
Kenya has a population of 55 million and a GDP (PPP) of about US$386 billion. It is a relatively wealthy and educated country, with a GDP per capita (PPP) of US$6,150 and an expected GDP growth for 2026 of 4.9%.
In August 2025, the first Russian trading house was opened in Nairobi. Russia exports grain and other agricultural products to Kenya, while Kenya exports coffee, nuts, spices, fruits, and vegetables to Russia.
