Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Japan, citing the Asian nation as a key ally in fostering economic growth, investment, and development. Speaking at the Japanese National Day celebration, Prime Cabinet Secretary Dr. Musalia Mudavadi emphasized Kenya’s dedication to deepening economic and diplomatic engagements with Japan.
Mudavadi highlighted Kenya’s active participation in Japan’s collaboration with Africa through the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) framework. He noted that Kenya is looking forward to attending the TICAD 9 Summit in Yokohama, where public-private partnerships will be explored to maximize economic value for both nations.
“I affirm that Kenya is committed to addressing any existing challenges by undertaking economic reforms at the macro and micro levels to attract more investment and deepen economic partnerships with Japan,” said Mudavadi.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary emphasized the importance of tourism and cultural exchange between the two nations. He invited Japanese tourists to explore Kenya’s rich biodiversity and cultural diversity, underscoring the country’s preparations to showcase its tourism potential at TICAD 9.
Kenya and Japan have long-standing diplomatic relations dating back to 1963, built on mutual respect, shared principles, and common values. These ties have been reinforced through high-level visits and cooperation agreements, including President William Ruto’s official visit to Japan last year. The visit resulted in the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering key sectors such as ICT, industry, manufacturing, and infrastructure development.
Japan remains a strong development partner for Kenya, significantly contributing to the country’s national development goals and the UN Agenda 2030. Mudavadi noted that Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Kenya is the largest in the region, supporting key economic sectors such as infrastructure, health, education, agriculture, and ICT.
A notable success story of this partnership is the collaboration between the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI). This cooperation has elevated KEMRI’s health research leadership in Africa. In 2024, President Ruto signed an MoU with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for a Ksh 3 billion grant to establish a high-level facility for biotechnology research and development.
Kenya recently hosted the Kenya-Japan Business Forum on January 15, 2025, and the inaugural Kenya-Japan Policy Dialogue on January 20, 2025, further deepening economic cooperation. Mudavadi welcomed Japanese business delegations expected in March 2025, encouraging investors to explore opportunities in emerging sectors such as agri-processing, financial services, ICT, and green energy.
Japanese Ambassador to Kenya, Matsuura Hiroshi, reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to strengthening its relationship with Kenya, highlighting the mutual benefits of the partnership. The event was attended by notable dignitaries, including Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, DAP leader Eugene Wamalwa, and UN Office Nairobi Director-General Zainab Bangura, underscoring the significance of Kenya-Japan relations.
