NAIROBI, Kenya- Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has travelled to Moscow for the third Russia–Africa Summit, where Kenya plans to pursue new markets for its tea, coffee and horticultural produce.
Mudavadi, who also serves as Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, departed for Russia on Monday, October 26, ahead of the summit and an accompanying economic and humanitarian forum.
The summit is scheduled for October 28 and 29, according to the African Union. Kenya’s statement says the summit and forum programme will run from October 28 to 30.
Kenya’s delegation will also seek investment and partnerships in agriculture, energy, manufacturing, science and technology, the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary said.
Mudavadi is expected to hold bilateral talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
The two are expected to discuss Kenya–Russia relations, regional and international developments, and opportunities to expand economic and political cooperation.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary is also expected to meet officials from other participating countries on the sidelines of the summit.
The government says those meetings will focus on strengthening existing partnerships and exploring areas of cooperation aligned with Kenya’s priorities.
In a statement, the government said Kenya would use the engagements to pursue “practical economic gains,” including access to the Russian market for Kenyan agricultural products.
It also said discussions would cover education, skills development, tourism and technology transfer.
The government said the focus on trade and investment is intended to support job creation, value addition and economic growth. Kenya has framed its participation as part of efforts to diversify its international partnerships and improve the country’s economic competitiveness.
Mudavadi had earlier confirmed Kenya’s participation after meeting Russian Ambassador to Kenya Vsevolod Tkachenko in Nairobi on October 13.
He said the country wanted the summit to deliver new markets, stronger economic partnerships and opportunities for young innovators.
The Russia–Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum, being held alongside the summit, is expected to bring together governments, businesses and other stakeholders to discuss areas for cooperation.
The summit agenda includes political cooperation, peace and security, economic development and relations between Russia and African countries.
The meeting will be the third in the Russia–Africa summit series.
The first was held in Sochi in 2019, bringing together 45 heads of state and government. Kenya was represented by then-President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The second summit took place in St Petersburg in 2023, with Kenya represented by its then-ambassador to Russia, Benson Ogutu.
The African Union and Russia have also discussed priorities for their partnership, including peace and security, food security, infrastructure, energy, trade and investment.
In a July 2026 joint statement, the two sides said the Moscow summit would provide an opportunity to advance shared priorities and strengthen Africa–Russia relations.
