NAIROBI, Kenya — Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi has travelled to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for a two-day diplomatic engagement aimed at strengthening Kenya’s bilateral relations with Ethiopia and the United Kingdom.
According to a statement from the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, Mudavadi is scheduled to hold high-level talks with Ethiopia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gideon Timothewos, as part of ongoing efforts to deepen cooperation between the two neighbouring states.
Kenya and Ethiopia maintain a long-standing relationship anchored on historical ties, regional security interests, and economic cooperation.
The partnership is formalised under the 2012 Special Status Agreement, which provides a framework for collaboration across trade, infrastructure, energy, and cross-border development.
Officials say discussions will focus on advancing joint infrastructure projects, including the Lamu–Addis Ababa transport corridor, as well as expanding trade and energy cooperation.
The corridor is a key component of Kenya’s regional integration strategy and is expected to enhance connectivity between the two economies while supporting broader East African trade flows.
Mudavadi is also expected to meet United Kingdom Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper to review progress under the Kenya–UK Strategic Partnership.
The talks are set to explore cooperation in defence, digital technology, and large-scale urban development projects.
The UK remains one of Kenya’s leading foreign investors, with renewed interest in flagship initiatives such as the Nairobi Railway City project, which the government has positioned as a major driver of urban renewal, transport integration, and economic growth.
The Addis Ababa visit comes amid Kenya’s broader push to leverage diplomacy for economic expansion, regional stability, and diversified international partnerships.
Analysts note that sustained engagement with both regional neighbours and global partners is central to Kenya’s foreign policy posture, particularly as competition for investment and influence intensifies across Africa.
The meetings are also expected to touch on shared regional priorities, including peace and security in the Horn of Africa, cross-border trade facilitation, and coordinated responses to economic and geopolitical pressures affecting the region.
