By Hassan Wekesa - Editor
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Russia, 28 October 2026 - Kenya’s President William Ruto arrived in Moscow on Wednesday ahead of the Russia-Africa Summit.
The Russian Embassy in Kenya said that Dr Ruto, on his first trip as president, will participate in the 3rd Russia-Africa Summit and Economic and Humanitarian Forum.
“Welcome, Mr President!” the embassy wrote on X.
The two-day summit, co-chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin and African Union (AU) Chairperson, Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimiye, began on Wednesday and will end on Thursday. Discussions centre on politics, trade, investment, science, technology and culture.
On Tuesday, State House announced that President Ruto was leaving for Moscow, just after he concluded his development tour of the Ukambani region, widely perceived as the stronghold of Wiper Patriotic Front leader Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka.
At the summit, President Ruto will advance Kenya’s economic and strategic interests, focusing on expanding export markets and attracting investment.
“As the AU champion on the African Continental Free Trade Area, the President will seek greater market access for African tea, coffee, cut flowers, fresh produce and value-added products, while pursuing investment in agro-processing, manufacturing, energy and infrastructure,” said a press release signed by State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed.
The Head of State will also explore partnerships in artificial intelligence, digital innovation and technology transfer to equip young people with emerging skills, support businesses and strengthen Kenya’s digital economy.
The engagements will further focus on securing affordable agricultural inputs and strengthening food security.
The statement added that, at the Africa-Russia Business Roundtable, President Ruto will position Kenya as a competitive investment destination and gateway to African markets, promoting joint ventures and commercial partnerships that strengthen local industries, create employment and increase the value of Kenyan exports.
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African leaders, under the AU’s leadership, also seek to engage Russia further on efforts to address global peace and regional security challenges, promote the peaceful resolution of conflicts and strengthen regional stability.
“The Forum will focus on Africa’s priorities, including reforms to global governance, stronger representation in international decision-making and equitable partnerships founded on mutual respect and sovereign equality,” the statement added.
The African leaders and their delegations will also advocate cooperation that advances Africa’s industrialisation, economic transformation and shared prosperity.
On the sidelines, President Ruto will engage Heads of State and Government, international organisations, financial institutions and major corporations to mobilise investment, unlock new markets and secure partnerships that support Kenya’s economic transformation.
Kenya and Russia enjoy warm ties, but there have been squabbles and diplomatic tensions in the wake of Russia’s operation in Ukraine, with claims that the Russian military was recruiting Kenyans and other nationals to participate in the war.
Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov has stated that Moscow helps Africa’s agriculture without blackmail or political strings, “unlike the West”.
“Russia is in talks to build a naval logistics hub on Africa’s east coast as part of the International North-South Transport Corridor,” Ryabkov stated.
Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary, Musalia Mudavadi, arrived much earlier. On Tuesday, he held interviews with major broadcasters in Russia and engaged in high-level business meetings, including with the Chief Executive Officer of Sber, German Gref. Sber is Russia’s largest bank.