Kenya is intensifying its partnership with Russia to ensure that every household in the country has access to electricity, a key objective that could revolutionize the nation’s energy landscape and stimulate economic growth. This collaboration, announced during the First Ministerial Conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum held in Sochi on November 9-10, 2024, seeks to leverage Russian expertise in nuclear and renewable energy, agriculture, infrastructure, and education.
Kenya’s Ambassador to Russia, Peter Mutuku Mathuki, highlighted the significant potential for mutual benefit from this strengthened cooperation. Mathuki’s remarks at the forum emphasized Kenya’s ambition to ensure energy security and drive sustainable development in several key sectors.
“We are looking to improve the capacity of power production, particularly in green energy,” Mathuki told Sputnik Africa. “Our goal is to ensure that every household in Kenya has power, and that every industry has sufficient power to support production and manufacturing.”
With energy at the forefront of the discussions, Kenya aims to tackle the challenges of insufficient power supply, which have long hindered industrial development and job creation. According to the ambassador, securing a stable and sustainable energy supply will be a catalyst for manufacturing growth, particularly in creating employment opportunities for the youth.
“Once energy is sorted out in Kenya, it will resolve the issue of manufacturing and job creation, especially for the youth,” Mathuki explained. This vision aligns with Kenya’s broader strategy to enhance its industrial base and provide a reliable power supply to businesses and households.
In addition to energy, Kenya is seeking to benefit from Russia’s advanced agricultural technologies. Mathuki emphasized the importance of agricultural cooperation, noting that Kenya can adopt new agri-tech innovations to boost productivity, increase farmer incomes, and create more jobs in the sector. “We are keen on leveraging Russia’s expertise in agriculture,” he added, explaining that the country is particularly interested in improving productivity through technology.
The partnership will also focus on securing a more sustainable supply of fertilizers. Kenya has already benefited from Russian fertilizer imports, and now the government seeks to attract Russian fertilizer companies to invest in local production. This move would not only help ensure a steady supply but also create more sustainable agricultural practices in Kenya.
Infrastructure development is another key area where Kenya hopes to collaborate with Russia. The Kenyan government aims to improve urban planning and invest in cleaner infrastructure, areas where Russia’s experience in large-scale projects can provide valuable insight. According to Mathuki, improving infrastructure will significantly enhance the quality of life for Kenyans, particularly in urban areas where rapid growth has created significant challenges.
One of the distinguishing features of Russia’s approach to Africa, according to Ambassador Mathuki, is its respect for African sovereignty and its focus on mutual benefit. Unlike the historical colonial legacies of Western powers, Russia’s stance on Africa has been one of non-interference, with a clear emphasis on partnership based on respect for the continent’s independence.
“If you want to partner with us, come and partner with us without conditions, but appreciating that African states remain independent and sovereign,” Mathuki said, underscoring Russia’s commitment to a fair and respectful partnership.
As Kenya and Russia strengthen their ties, Ambassador Mathuki also called on international media to portray Africa in a more positive light. He stressed that Africa’s priorities should be recognized and promoted, particularly in areas like youth empowerment and women’s development.
“There’s a huge opportunity for media outlets to partner with African media agencies and bring out the positive aspects of Africa, as opposed to focusing on the negative,” Mathuki remarked. He emphasized that the future of Africa lies in promoting its independence and highlighting the issues that matter most to its people, such as economic empowerment, job creation, and sustainable development.
Through this enhanced partnership with Russia, Kenya is poised to not only achieve its goal of universal electricity access but also create a more resilient and diversified economy capable of addressing the challenges of the 21st century. With mutual respect, shared goals, and a focus on sustainable growth, the collaboration between Kenya and Russia could become a cornerstone of Africa’s development in the coming decades.
