PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim touched down in Nairobi this evening, commencing a state visit to Kenya that is expected to enhance cooperation between the two nations in key sectors including trade, digital technology, education, and affordable housing.
High Commissioner of Malaysia to Kenya, Ruzaimi Mohamad, confirmed that Anwar arrived at 6pm local time (11pm Malaysian time), accompanied by Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa.
Leading the Malaysian delegation, the Prime Minister had just concluded his participation at the Group of 20 (G20) Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.
“Upon arrival in Nairobi, Anwar will attend a state banquet hosted by President William Samoei Ruto at the official residence, known as the State House,” Ruzaimi said.
The following day, Anwar will participate in the official welcoming ceremony for his state visit, followed by a private meeting with President Ruto and a series of bilateral discussions aimed at strengthening economic and strategic collaboration.
Ruzaimi highlighted the growing closeness of Malaysia–Kenya relations, noting that trade, education, science, and technology have been areas of expanding cooperation.
In particular, the Prime Minister is expected to discuss affordable housing initiatives with President Ruto.
“The Kenyan President is very active in spearheading affordable housing projects. With Malaysia being recognised for its success in enabling home ownership through similar schemes, we can extend our cooperation to help Kenya achieve comparable outcomes,” he said.
The digital economy is also identified as a sector of significant potential for Malaysian businesses, with both leaders set to witness the signing of memoranda of understanding and cooperation agreements, including collaborations in tourism and between Kuala Lumpur City Hall and Nairobi City Council.
Anwar is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the Malaysia–Africa Higher Education Forum in Nairobi and will officially open the programme. He will also address the Malaysia–Kenya High-Level Business Forum, which is expected to host some 200 representatives from Malaysian and Kenyan companies, providing an opportunity for direct engagement with business leaders.
Further engagements include a meeting with a Kenyan firm exploring agricultural investment collaboration with a Malaysian company, and visits to the leaders of Kenya’s Islamic community and representatives of Nairobi’s largest mosque, the Jamia Mosque, during which the Prime Minister will present copies of the Quran with Swahili translation.
Before concluding his visit, Anwar will attend a luncheon with Malaysians residing in Kenya, including alumni of the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP). Since its establishment in 1980, the MTCP has provided short-term training courses, scholarships, and capacity-building programmes to developing countries, including Kenya, with over 600 Kenyan officers benefiting from initiatives in public administration, education, technology, economy, and social development.
In 2024, Kenya became Malaysia’s third-largest trading partner in Africa, with bilateral trade reaching RM5.7 billion, a slight increase from RM5.51 billion in the previous year.
Anwar will depart Nairobi to return to Malaysia, concluding his visit to three African nations that began on November 18. - November 23, 2025
