Kazakh-Kenyan political relations
On November 15, 1993, diplomatic relations were established
Since January 8, 2025, the Ambassador of the Republic of Kenya to the Republic of Kazakhstan (with residence in Moscow) is Peter Mutuku Matuki.
Since May 23, 2025, the Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Kenya and the Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan to the UN Office in Nairobi is Barlybay Sadykov.
On June 27, 2025 The Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan was opened in Kenya.
High and highest level visits
On September 20, 2023, on the sidelines of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, a meeting was held between the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan K.Tokayev and the President of Kenya W.Ruto.
March 6-8, 2024 a delegation of the Republic of Kazakhstan headed by the Assistant to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan for International Affairs E.Kazykhan visited Kenya. The delegation included the heads of the «Atameken» External Chamber of Commerce, «QazTrade» JSC, «Kazakh Invest» NC JSC, and the Kuryk port.
During the meetings, the parties discussed perspective areas of bilateral cooperation in the political, trade and economic spheres. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed on political and diplomatic consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs of Kenya.
An agreement was reached on the creation of expert working groups in 4 areas: 1) trade, economic and investment cooperation; 2) transport and logistics; 3) cooperation in the field of digitalization; 4) tourism.
On May 19-20, 2026, Kenyan President William Ruto paid a state visit to Kazakhstan at the invitation of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. This is the first ever visit of the head of Kenya to Kazakhstan at such a level. Kazakhstan considers Kenya as a key partner in Africa, designating the country as a gateway to East Africa. Kenya sees Kazakhstan as a logistics hub for entering the Eurasian market (agricultural exports). Joint projects in the fields of transport, agriculture, industry, ICT/digitalization, tourism, energy, space, education and finance were discussed. As a result of the visit, a joint statement of the presidents was adopted. The parties confirmed their intention to take relations to a new level, boost trade and investment, as well as implement specific projects.
Interaction between government departments
On January 17, 2024, a meeting was held between the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Ethiopia and Kenya (concurrently from December 7, 2023), the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the African Union B.Sadykov with the Prime Secretary of the Cabinet of Ministers - Minister of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs of Kenya M.Mudavadi, during which the parties discussed current issues on the bilateral agenda, plans for the development of cooperation, upcoming bilateral visits at different levels and the formation of a legal framework.
On August 22, 2024 Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Kenya B.Sadykov held a meeting with the Secretary of the Cabinet of Ministers, Minister of Trade, Investment and Industry of Kenya Salim Mvuraya, Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife of Kenya John Olultua, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs of Kenya Dr. A.K. SingOei, Chief of Protocol of the Office of the President and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kenya Ambassador Henry Ouma Wambuma during which issues of expanding of bilateral cooperation and organization of visits at the highest levels were discussed.
On September 2, 2024, the first round of political consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan and Kenya was held in Astana at the level of directors of departments. During the consultations, the parties substantively discussed the current state and prospects for the development of political, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian interaction between the two countries.
On February 13, 2026, a meeting was held between the Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Kenya B.Sadykov and the Minister of Information, Communications and Digital Economy, Mr. William Kabogo Gitau, during which the parties discussed current issues on the bilateral agenda, plans for the development of cooperation in the field of IT, upcoming bilateral visits at different levels and the formation of a legal framework.
On March 7, 2026, the Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Kenya B. Sadykov met with the Minister of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs of Kenya H. Joho, during which prospects for the development of cooperation in the field of exploration and production of mineral resources and the use of Kenyan seaports were discussed. As a result of this meeting, an agreement was reached to intensify cooperation in the mining industry and in the development of transit and transport routes, including the use of Kenyan ports, and the organization of meetings with the participation of experts from the two countries.
On May 12, 2026, the Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Kenya and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the UN Office at Nairobi Barlybay Sadykov met with the Minister of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation of Kenya Eric Mugaa. The Ambassador informed about the results of the Regional Environmental Summit held on April 22-24, 2026 in Astana, as well as about Kazakhstan's initiative to establish an International Water Organization (IWA) within the framework of the United Nations. The Kenyan side highly appreciated Kazakhstan's efforts to promote topical environmental and water issues and expressed its positive consideration and willingness to provide support in the implementation of the IOE initiative.
On May 14, 2026, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Kenya B.Sadykov met with the Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry of Kenya Lee Kinyanjui. Following the meeting, an agreement was reached to strengthen cooperation across the entire spectrum of bilateral interaction, including in the areas of trade, the development of transit and transport routes including the use of the port of Mombasa, agriculture, as well as the organization of visits of business representatives and the creation of a business council.
Interparliamentary dialogue
On February 25, 2026, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan B.Sadykov met with Speaker of the National Assembly of Kenya M. Wetangula to discuss the full range of bilateral interparliamentary cooperation. Following the talks, an agreement was reached to establish a Friendship Group, conduct exchange visits between parliamentarians, and consistently strengthen interparliamentary cooperation. The Kazakh side sent a list of Kazakh deputies for inclusion in the Friendship Group of parliamentarians of Kazakhstan and Kenya.
Exchange of support on international platforms
Kazakhstan and Kenya have established and maintained trusting relations within multilateral global structures. Through ongoing collaboration and friendly contacts at various levels, Kazakhstan and Kenya enjoy mutually beneficial exchanges of support within UN organizations. Kenya previously supported Astana's bid to host EXPO 2017 on the basis of reciprocity in a November 2012 vote at the Bureau International des Expositions in Paris. Kenya took part in the EXPO-2017 exhibition. Kenya supported Kazakhstan's candidacy for the UN Security Council for 2017-2018. Kazakhstan supported Kenya's candidacy for the UN Human Rights Council for 2016-2018 and the UN Security Council for 2021-2022.
Kenya supported the UN General Assembly resolution on the establishment of the UN Regional Centre for Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.
The Kazakh side supported the candidacy of Kenyan P.Okowa for the post of judge of the International Court for the period 2027-2036.
Kenya supported the candidacy of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the UN Security Council for the period 2039-2040.
Legal framework
On March 7, 2024, a Memorandum of Understanding on holding political and diplomatic consultations was signed between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs of Kenya.
Trade and economic cooperation
In 2024, trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Kenya amounted to $42.4 million, which is 3% higher than the same period of the previous year. In 2025, trade turnover increased to $52.21 million (+18.87), with exports amounting to $1,000 (+60%) and imports amounting to $52.2 million (+18.9%), which is 23.3% higher than the same period of the previous year.
Kazakhstan exports to Kenya mainly sulfur, equipment for measuring and monitoring electrical quantities and radiation, devices and instruments for automatic regulation and control. Imports - tea, cut flowers and buds, ginger, saffron, turmeric, thyme, bay leaf, other spices and seeds.
On February 17, 2026, the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, together with the Kenya Chamber of Commerce and Industry, organized a business forum on trade, economic and investment cooperation. The event was attended by the Deputy Minister of Information, Communications and Digital Economy of Kenya, S.Isaboke, the National Director of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, K.Onditti, the Director of the Department of Economic Affairs and Commercial Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kenya E. Matura, and others.
Representatives of the Kazakh side, including JSC «Center for Development of Trade Policy «QazTrade», JSC «Export Credit Agency of Kazakhstan», JSC «National Company «Kazakh Invest», the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Kazakhstan «Atameken», the company «NS Art venture Labs», and «TransAsia Logistics», participated in the online format.