NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya is looking to deepen its strategic engagement with Austria and the broader European Union through increased parliamentary diplomacy and development cooperation, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has said.
Speaking after a high-level meeting with Kenya’s Ambassador to Austria, Amb. Maurice Makoloo, at Parliament Buildings on Tuesday, Speaker Wetang’ula said the country is committed to leveraging its diplomatic footprint in Vienna to unlock new partnerships in science, agriculture, and clean energy.
“This meeting underscores Kenya’s evolving strategic footprint in Vienna and across Europe,” said Wetang’ula. “Our partnership with the EU is anchored in mutual interests ranging from green energy innovation and agricultural technology to scientific research and parliamentary diplomacy.”
Austria—home to several UN agencies and global scientific institutions—presents a critical entry point for Kenya to tap into world-class innovation and environmental governance, the Speaker added.
He pointed to precision farming and climate-smart agricultural practices as key areas where European collaboration could help transform Kenya’s food systems and rural economies.
The meeting also emphasized the growing importance of legislative diplomacy.
Speaker Wetang’ula underscored the need for deeper engagement between parliaments, citing the value of knowledge exchange, joint benchmarking, and the promotion of democratic values.
“Parliaments must speak to each other,” he said. “Cross-border legislative cooperation is essential for institutions to grow stronger and for governance to become more inclusive.”
I held a productive engagement with Amb. @MMakoloo , Kenya’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the Republic of Austria and the United Nations Offices in Vienna, during his courtesy call to my office at Parliament Buildings.Our discussions focused on advancing Kenya’s
Beyond economic and political diplomacy, the two leaders reflected on the influence of faith and ethics in public leadership.
Wetang’ula noted the role of parliamentary faith-based groups—like Kenya’s Parliamentary Catholic Group—in shaping moral consensus and promoting ethical governance.
“Christian values play a critical role in our policymaking,” he said. “As we build ties with countries like Austria, where faith and public life are also intertwined, we see opportunities to align on issues of human dignity, peacebuilding, and social justice.”
Ambassador Makoloo affirmed Kenya’s readiness to position itself as a key partner in global discussions on sustainability and innovation.
He praised Parliament for embracing diplomatic engagement and pledged to continue championing Kenya’s interests in Vienna.
“The Vienna Mission is keen to position Kenya at the centre of global conversations—whether on energy transition, diplomacy, or sustainable development,” he said.
The meeting comes at a time when Kenya is working to solidify its global partnerships as it pursues economic transformation and green growth.
Both leaders agreed that parliamentary diplomacy will be central in navigating new geopolitical realities and advancing Kenya’s international agenda.
