Insights into Kenya -UK Relations/ Strategic Partnership
On 21st January 2020, H.E. President Uhuru Kenyatta and Prime Minister Boris Johnson agreed to elevate the Kenya UK relationship to a Strategic Partnership focusing on five strategic pillars: Mutual Prosperity; Security and Stability; Sustainable Development; Climate Change; and People to People where a five-year framework document was signed.
Over the last five years, the two countries have realised tangible achievements under the Strategic Partnership (2020-2025). Key among them include: setting up the Africa Green Industrialisation Initiative (AGII) worth £17 billion to drive green industrial economic growth in Kenya; the launch of the first G7+ country secretariat to establish Nairobi Railway City; and the launch of Dhamana Guarantee company to enhance access to climate financing for key Medium Term Plan IV sectors aligned to Kenya’s vision 2030 such as transport, water, renewable energy, and waste management to stimulate private institutional infrastructure investment.
Following Brexit, the two nations inked a post-EU trade continuity agreement which sought to safeguard tariff-free access and stabilise trade channels. Consequently, significant joint UK-Kenya investment missions have been organised with the goal of strengthening trade and commercial linkages while greatly encouraging private-sector participation.
The countries also signed the Defence Cooperation Agreement (2021) whose import was to deepening military collaboration by enhancing training, capabilities as well as providing peace-support efforts. A significant impact of the 2021 DCA was the upgrading of the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) and the subsequent opening of the Nyati Barracks. The two countries also enhanced collaboration to stem violent extremism, cybercrime and organized crime.
Following the 2020 agreement, many climate action projects were formed, with the primary goal of spearheading the clean energy transition in counties like as Narok and Makueni. Other measures include greater assistance for forest restoration and conservation in order to attain a national forest cover of 30%, as well as exploring clean, electric cooking alternatives to minimise dependency on wood and charcoal. It is expected that the Kenya's national solar-home-system rollout will be undertaken soon in 19 counties.
The British Council has over the years provided grants towards the production/ hosting of exhibitions for various groups in the Kenya and the UK. Community theatre groups and public art initiatives showcasing film, performing arts, design have been held in various cities.
Following the end of the duration of the framework document (2020- 2025), the President of Kenya H.E Dr. William Samoei Ruto, CGH and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom The Rt. Hon. Keir Starmer, met in October 2024 where, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly 2024 agreed to renew the Kenya-UK Strategic Partnership in 2025 for a further five years.
As President Ruto commences his visit to the United Kingdom, expectations are high that a new agreement will be signed whose focus will include but are not limited to, trade, investment and green growth; climate and nature; science and technology; security and stability. The commencement of works for the Nairobi Railway City is expected to take centre stage as the government seeks new investors in the country as parts of efforts to double Kenya UK trade.
The Railway City is expected to transform the city of Nairobi and create immense opportunities for economic growth, employment and business within the affiliated construction of the infrastructure backbone supporting the Nairobi Railway City. Upon completion of this flagship project, there will be enhanced mobility with the attendant growth and development of the entire Nairobi Metropolitan Area.
Equally important would be an agreement to enhance labor mobility between the two countries whose nationals work across various sectors. This would be interesting taking into consideration that Kenya was the first port of call within the Commonwealth for His Majesty The King’s in 2023 soon after his coronation.
A snapshot of various activities that President Ruto may engage or are aligned to the UK visit include but are not limited to, the launch of Kenya Airways flights from Nairobi to Gatwick, a meeting at No 10 Downing Street with Prime Minister Keir Stammer and another at the UK Parliament and conversations with Kenyan Diaspora in the United Kingdom.