NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya and the European Union (EU) have reaffirmed their shared commitment to human rights, democratic governance, and multilateral cooperation following high-level bilateral talks in Nairobi between Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi and the EU Special Representative for Human Rights Kajsa Ollongren.
The meeting, held at the Prime Cabinet Secretary’s office at Railways Headquarters, focused on deepening collaboration under the Kenya–EU partnership framework, with emphasis on human rights protection, institutional governance, and emerging challenges in the digital information space.
Mudavadi reiterated Kenya’s commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights as guaranteed under the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, citing the role of independent institutions in safeguarding the rule of law and accountability.
“Kenya remains steadfast in strengthening democratic governance through independent oversight bodies, an autonomous judiciary, and a vibrant civil society,” Mudavadi said, according to a statement from the State Department for Foreign Affairs.
He highlighted institutions such as the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the judiciary as central to enforcing accountability and protecting civil liberties, particularly in law enforcement and justice administration.
On electoral governance, Mudavadi reaffirmed Kenya’s resolve to conduct free, fair, and transparent general elections in 2027, noting the full constitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) as a critical step toward restoring public confidence in the electoral process.
Both sides also raised concerns over the growing impact of misinformation and disinformation, particularly through digital platforms and social media. The discussions underscored the need for responsible media practice, ethical digital engagement, and accurate public communication to protect democratic processes.
Ollongren welcomed Kenya’s progress on governance reforms and expressed the EU’s readiness to deepen structured cooperation, proposing the establishment of a dedicated human rights pillar within the Kenya–EU Strategic Dialogue.
The proposed mechanism, she said, would strengthen policy exchange, mutual learning, and sustained engagement on rights-based governance, while addressing the misuse of media and digital platforms.
The talks also reviewed ongoing and future cooperation in peace and security, multilateral affairs, and trade and investment, reflecting the breadth of the Kenya–EU partnership.
Kenya reaffirmed its intention to work closely with EU Member States ahead of the 2026 Human Rights Council session in Geneva, positioning itself as an active participant in global human rights discourse.
During the meeting, Mudavadi sought EU support for Prof. Phoebe Okowa’s candidature for election as a Judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for the 2027–2034 term, underscoring Kenya’s commitment to multilateralism and international justice.
The engagement concluded with both sides reaffirming their determination to strengthen the Kenya–EU partnership, guided by mutual respect and cooperation, in advancing human rights, peace, stability, and sustainable development at both regional and global levels.
