MOSCOW, Russia — Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi has arrived in Moscow for high-level bilateral talks aimed at strengthening diplomatic and economic relations between Kenya and Russia.
The visit is expected to focus on expanding cooperation in education, labour mobility, health, infrastructure, and energy, while deepening trade ties between the two countries.
According to Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, the engagements will also explore ways to increase Kenyan exports to the Russian market, particularly agricultural commodities such as coffee, tea, and floriculture.
Mudavadi said there is significant potential to grow Kenya’s export footprint in Russia as global trade patterns shift amid geopolitical tensions affecting supply chains in the Middle East and other regions.
During the two-day visit, Mudavadi is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, as well as separate meetings with Russian government officials responsible for education and labour.
He will also deliver a public lecture at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, one of Russia’s leading diplomatic training institutions.
Education cooperation remains a key pillar of the Kenya–Russia partnership. Kenyan officials say Moscow has supported opportunities for Kenyan students through scholarship programmes while also collaborating with Nairobi in areas such as agricultural development, including fertiliser partnerships aimed at boosting productivity.
Another major focus of the visit is the welfare and protection of Kenyan nationals living in Russia.
Mudavadi is expected to engage Russian authorities on establishing a clearer framework to safeguard Kenyans studying, working or residing in the country.
The discussions will also address concerns surrounding Kenyans who may have been voluntarily or involuntarily recruited into the Russian military, an issue that has drawn attention in recent months as the Russia–Ukraine War continues.
Kenya has intensified diplomatic efforts to prevent its citizens from being misled by recruitment agents or false employment promises linked to the conflict.
Officials say the talks will also explore mechanisms for the safe and structured repatriation of affected Kenyan nationals connected to the war.
