Canada-Kenya relations
On this page
Bilateral relations
Canada established diplomatic relations with Kenya at the time of its independence in 1963. Canada’s High Commission in Nairobi is our largest mission in Africa, accredited to Kenya as well as Somalia, Uganda, the United Nations (UN) Environment Programme and UN-Habitat. Kenya is represented in Canada by a High Commission in Ottawa.
Canada and Kenya have an excellent relationship founded on a range of shared interests including advancing poverty reduction, sustainable economic growth, trade diversification and the empowerment of women and girls, as well as supporting refugees and regional security and stability.
Established in September 2018 through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Foreign Ministers, the Canada-Kenya Binational Commission (BNC) provides a framework of cooperation and regular dialogue to discuss political and economic issues. The first meeting of the Canada-Kenya Binational Commission took place in March 2019 (hosted by Canada), followed by a second meeting in April 2021 (hosted by Kenya), and a third in May 2024 (hosted by Canada).
During the third BNC in Ottawa May 30鈥�31, 2024, Canada and Kenya exchanged views on a range of issues, including safe and regular pathways for labour migration, trade and commercial ties, development cooperation and reform of international financial institutions, climate change and the blue economy, as well as global and regional peace and security issues including the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support Mission to Haiti.
Canada enjoys regular interactions with Kenyan counterparts. Recent high-level engagements include the following:
Prime Minister Trudeau met with President Ruto on the margins of the Summit on Peace in Ukraine in Lucerne, Switzerland on June 17, 2024, where they discussed the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support Mission to Haiti along with Canada’s broader engagements with Kenya. In March 2024, during the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) in Nairobi, Minister Guilbeault met with President Ruto. Parliamentary Secretary Sidhu, participated in the Canada Africa Chamber of Business second Canada Africa Business Conference in Nairobi in February 2024.
In May 2023, responding to the crisis in Sudan, Minister Joly met with President Ruto in Nairobi and other senior Kenyan officials. Minister Hussen also visited Kenya to attend the Africa Climate Summit in November 2023 and met with President Ruto and Principal Secretary for Diaspora Affairs Roseline Njogu. Minister Ng met with Cabinet Secretary for Trade and Industry Rebecca Miano on the margins of the G7 Trade and Investment Ministers Meeting in Osaka in October 2023.
Canada’s Directorate of Military Training and Cooperation provides military training in preparation for peacekeeping deployments at the International Peace Support Training Centre (IPSTC), hosted by Kenya, in Nairobi. Kenya has been a member of Canada’s Military Training and Cooperation Programme since 1970, with approximately 515 Kenyan officers trained to date.
Since 2019, Canada has disbursed more than CAD $11.7M in counter-terrorism programming to East Africa, including Kenya, to prevent and counter violent extremism.
Trade relations
Canada has a well-established trade relationship with Kenya. In 2023, Canadian exports to Kenya reached $110.8 M and imports were $46.4M. Top exports to Kenya are wheat, newsprint, worn clothing, and aerospace products. Imports from Kenya are primarily coffee, tea, plants, and clothing.
Related links
International assistance
In 2022-23, Canada provided $155 million in international assistance to Kenya. Canada’s international assistance is well aligned with Kenya’s overarching Vision 2030 strategy, and our support is helping Kenyans by:
- increasing employment and economic opportunities, especially for women;
- empowering women and girls; and,
- providing a safe, quality learning environment, skills building, and technical and vocational training.
Canada’s support to Kenya also includes humanitarian assistance, regional programming, and civil society initiatives. The humanitarian assistance is directed to refugees from neighbouring countries as well as Kenyan communities impacted by cyclical drought and flooding.
Partnerships and organizations
To develop effective responses to today’s most pressing global challenges, Canada and Kenya work closely in multilateral fora, such as:
- Commonwealth
- International Criminal Court (ICC)
- Open Government Partnership (OGP)
- United Nations (UN)
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
- World Trade Organization (WTO)
- Date modified:
