Kenya Diplomatic Journey with India
VIP Visits Between Kenya and India
- There have been several high-level visits between the two countries over the years.
- President William Ruto made a State Visit to India in December 2023.
- His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta paid a State Visit to India from 10–12 January 2017 on an invitation extended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi (reciprocal visit).
- His Excellency Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, made a State Visit to Kenya from 10th to 11th July 2016. This was the first visit at the level of Prime Minister in 35 years.
- President Daniel arap Moi made a State Visit to India in February 1981. He also visited in 1995.
- President Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy and Prime Minister Indira Gandhi also visited Kenya in 1981.
- Smt. Indira Gandhi attended the Kenyan Independence celebrations in 1963.
- Vice President Dr. S. Radhakrishnan visited Kenya in July 1956.
Kenya – India Relations
Kenya and India established historical ties long before Kenya’s independence. India established the office of Commissioner (later Commissioner General) for British East Africa resident in Nairobi in 1948. Upon Kenya’s independence in 1963, India established a High Commission in Nairobi. A Joint Commission was set up in 1999, and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Foreign Office Consultations was signed. Kenya established a full-fledged Mission with a resident High Commissioner in 1969. Both countries have resident missions in each other’s capital, with the Kenya High Commission in New Delhi also accredited to Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives, and Bhutan.
Kenya and India have enjoyed cordial relations that have broadened and deepened across economic, political, social, cultural, and security ties. India is Kenya’s largest trading partner in the Indian subcontinent, providing a market for a variety of Kenya’s exports. India remains a key partner in Kenya’s national development aspirations, contributing to sectors such as Agriculture, Healthcare, MSMEs, the Digital Creative Economy, and Affordable Housing.
The two countries have held two (2) Joint Consultative Meetings (JCMs) alternately in each other’s capital. The last JCM was held between 12th–14th June 2021 in Nairobi, Kenya. Discussions included cooperation in health, education, trade, defense and security, and development partnership. The Third JCM is expected to be held in New Delhi.
MOUs and Agreements Between Kenya and India
During the State Visit to India in December 2023, the following instruments for cooperation were signed:
- Renewable Energy
- Cultural Exchange Program
- Sports Cooperation
- Protocol on Framework on Blue Economy
During the 2016 visit, the following bilateral instruments were concluded:
- MoU on Defence Cooperation
- MoU on Cooperation in the field of National Housing Policy Development and Management
- Agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income
- MoU between Bureau of Indian Standards and Kenya Bureau of Standards
- Agreement on Exemption of Visa for Holders of Diplomatic Passports
- Line of Credit Agreement for US$15 million to IDB Capital Limited for SMEs development
- Line of Credit Agreement for US$29.95 million to the Government of Kenya for upgrading the Rift Valley Textiles Factory (RIVATEX)
- Joint Trade Committee Agreements between Kenya and India signed in 1981
Trade Relations
The trade volume between Kenya and India has grown from Kshs. 97.44 billion (USD 850.85 million) in 2008 to Kshs. 279.51 billion (USD 2.2 billion) in 2023. In 2023, Kenya imported goods worth Kshs. 269.17 billion (USD 2.07 billion) from India and exported goods worth Kshs. 10.42 billion (USD 79.54 million), resulting in a trade deficit of Kshs. 258.63 billion (USD 1.99 billion).
Kenya’s top exports to India include tea, coffee, legumes, carbonates, and scrap metals (aluminium and copper). In 2023, Kenya signed an agreement for the export of avocados to India. Imports from India include petroleum oils, rice, sugar, medicaments, human blood, motorcycles, and semi-finished iron and steel products.
Investment and Development Cooperation
India is the second-largest investor in Kenya, with over 60 major Indian companies operating in sectors such as manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, real estate, banking, and agro-based industries. Prominent investors include TATA, Reliance, and Bharti Airtel. Kenya’s favorable investment climate and regional trade access through EAC, COMESA, ACFTA, AGOA, and EPA have attracted global brands such as Standard Chartered, Google, Coca-Cola, Huawei, General Electric, Heineken, and Tata.
Kenya’s key investment opportunities lie in Healthcare, Agriculture, Affordable Housing, MSMEs, and the Digital Creative Economy.
Tourism
India ranks as the 5th largest source of tourists to Kenya, with 94,273 tourists visiting in 2023 — a 13% increase from 83,106 in 2022.
