It appears that Russia is eyeing Kenya as its Gateway to Africa, if the current level of delegations and high level dialogue between the two countries are of any indication. It is reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin will be meeting Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta in this month only. The two heads of state were meeting earlier also to discuss, among other things, need for strengthening trade and investment relations. That is expected to bring not only Kenya but also the East African bloc closer to Russia.
Kenyatta has been invited for the much touted Russia-Africa political summit and the accompanying Russia-Africa Economic Forum on October 23-24 2019 in Sochi, Russia. He is expected to attend both the events, according to some media reports. It is reported that close to 30 heads of state from Africa would attend the Russian jamboree on the lines of events that are being held by countries like China, US, Japan and India. Many experts point out that is indicative of the growing interest of Russia in the region.
Kenya is keen to have tie-up with Russia on a number of areas including medicine, aerospace energy including nuclear energy and space engineering. The high level talks between Putin and Kenyatta, it is expected, will break new ground in these segments. Russian exports to Kenya jumped by 8.16% in 2018, increasing from Sh20.68 bilio in 2018 to Sh 22.71 billion in 2017. However, Kenya’s exports to Russia is still in plateau. African leaders cutting across geographies are of the view that they should take advantage of Russian overtures.
