President William Ruto is set to depart Kenya on Thursday evening for a two-day official visit to Germany, aimed at bolstering bilateral relations between Nairobi and Berlin. The visit underscores Kenya’s strategic push to deepen ties with Germany, one of Europe’s economic powerhouses, and opens up new avenues for cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including migration, trade, and cultural exchange.
During his visit, President Ruto will witness the signing of the Kenya-Germany Agreement on Comprehensive Migration and Mobility Partnership. This agreement is expected to establish a robust framework for cooperation on various aspects of labour mobility, including apprenticeships, student training, and employment. It will also address the welfare of employees and provide mechanisms for the readmission and return of citizens, highlighting the shared commitment of both nations to manage migration in a humane and sustainable manner.
President Ruto’s itinerary also includes attending and addressing the 2024 “Bürgerfest” festival in Berlin, themed “Pamoja – Stronger Together.” Kenya is the festival’s official partner country, marking a historic first for a non-European nation to assume this role. Scheduled for the 13th and 14th of September, the festival offers Kenya a unique platform to showcase its rich cultural heritage to the German public. According to State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed, this partnership provides an opportunity for cultural exchange, a cornerstone of Kenya-Germany relations since the establishment of the Goethe-Institut in Nairobi in 1963.
“The Citizen’s Festival will significantly raise the visibility of Kenyan culture in Germany, fostering greater appreciation and understanding while promoting tourism and cultural exchanges,” Mohamed said in a statement on Thursday. He noted that the festival comes at a time of growing German interest in Kenya, as evidenced by the 23.2% increase in German tourist arrivals to Kenya in the last financial year. The country welcomed 81,359 German tourists, up from 66,064 in the previous year, highlighting the potential for further growth in this sector.
Beyond cultural diplomacy, President Ruto will engage in high-level bilateral discussions with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. These meetings will focus on deepening cooperation on key issues such as trade, investment, and education. Germany is already a significant partner for Kenya, with over 100 German companies operating in the country and investments worth approximately Ksh.150 billion. Notably, Nairobi hosts the largest global office of the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and the regional office of Germany’s top trade promotion agency, AHK.
President Ruto will also hold discussions with leading German business figures, including CEOs from major companies such as Mercedes Benz, YouTube, and AIDA Cruises. These engagements are expected to boost trade and investment opportunities between the two countries, with a focus on sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, and the creative economy. “This visit not only reaffirms the strong ties between Kenya and Germany but also opens new avenues for cooperation that will benefit the people of both nations,” Mohamed emphasized.
The bilateral talks and business forums aim to create more opportunities for Kenyan youth, enhance educational and vocational prospects, and strengthen economic ties. According to Mohamed, Ruto’s visit is expected to further Kenya’s visibility in Germany, positioning the country as a prime destination for German investors and tourists alike. By expanding partnerships and exploring new markets, Kenya hopes to attract more foreign direct investment, create jobs, and foster sustainable development.
As President Ruto embarks on this landmark visit, it is clear that Kenya is positioning itself as a key player on the global stage, leveraging its rich cultural heritage, strategic location, and growing economy to forge stronger international partnerships. The outcomes of this visit could significantly impact Kenya’s socio-economic landscape, fostering deeper integration with the European Union’s largest economy and enhancing the nation’s global standing.
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