NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenya and Brazil are set to establish a Parliamentary Friendship Group to boost bilateral cooperation in agriculture, food security, and economic development, according to National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula.
Speaking after leading Kenya’s delegation to the 2nd Brazil–Africa Dialogue on Food Security, Hunger, and Rural Development in Brasília, Wetang’ula described the planned group as “a bold step forward” in strengthening parliamentary and diplomatic ties between the two countries.
“This partnership will foster mutual learning, legislative cooperation, and sustainable development,” said Wetang’ula, who was accompanied by MPs Sabina Chege and Zaheer Jhanda during the high-level engagement.
Harnessing Parliamentary Diplomacy
The initiative was born on the sidelines of the Brazil–Africa conference, where Wetang’ula and his Brazilian counterparts explored ways to leverage parliamentary diplomacy in tackling global challenges, including hunger, climate change, and rural underdevelopment.
“In the spirit of South–South cooperation, we agreed that our parliaments must play a central role in shaping policies that respond to the pressing issues of our time,” Wetang’ula said.
During my recent visit to Brasília for the 2nd Brazil–Africa Dialogue on Food Security, Hunger, and Rural Development, I had the distinct honour of leading the Kenyan parliamentary delegation in a series of high-level engagements with our Brazilian counterparts.One of the key
He emphasized the group’s potential to accelerate legislative efforts that support resilient food systems, empower smallholder farmers, and enhance technological exchange in agriculture.
Technology Transfer and Trade Ties
Brazil’s pledge to provide unconditional agricultural technology transfers to African nations—starting with Kenya—was highlighted as a key outcome of the visit.
“This commitment will modernize farming practices and boost productivity in rural Kenya,” Wetang’ula said. “It is a strategic move that empowers our farmers, the backbone of our food systems.”
In addition to the parliamentary talks, Kenya’s delegation also met with the Brazilian Chambers of Commerce, led by Chairperson Paul Pan, who expressed interest in expanding private sector partnerships in agribusiness, manufacturing, and infrastructure.
“These engagements align our legislative goals with broader economic diplomacy. We are building bridges between our businesses and our policymakers,” Wetang’ula noted.
Wetang’ula has extended an invitation to Brazilian lawmakers to visit Nairobi later this year, with the aim of formalizing the parliamentary friendship group and outlining key areas of collaboration.
Drawing on his diplomatic experience as a former Foreign Affairs Minister under President Mwai Kibaki, the Speaker recalled Africa’s earlier consensus to adopt Brazil as a strategic partner—a vision he says is now closer to reality through targeted legislative action.
“We are not starting from scratch,” he said. “We’re building on a foundation of goodwill, shared values, and mutual respect. Now is the time to turn that vision into tangible cooperation.”
