PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was accorded a full state welcome at the Kenyan State House, including a 19-gun salute, during the first official visit to Kenya since taking office in November 2022.
The ceremony at the residence of President William Samoei Ruto underscored the enduring diplomatic ties between Malaysia and Kenya.
Upon arrival, Anwar was personally received by President Ruto and introduced to Kenya’s top military officials, including Chief of Defence Forces Lieutenant General David Ketter, Navy Major General Paul Owuor Otieno, and Air Force Major General Bernard Waliaula.
The national anthems of Malaysia, Negaraku, and Kenya were played to commence the formalities.
The Prime Minister was accompanied by Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Zaliha Mustafa. Following the ceremonial welcome, Anwar signed the State House guest book before engaging in bilateral discussions with President Ruto.
“Insya-Allah, tomorrow we will hold the Malaysia-Kenya bilateral meeting, where President Ruto and I will jointly explore and deepen cooperation across sectors of mutual interest,” Anwar posted on his official Facebook page.
Kenya, located in East Africa, shares borders with South Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, and the Indian Ocean. In 2024, Kenya was Malaysia’s third-largest trading partner in Africa, with bilateral trade reaching RM5.7 billion, up 1.2 percent from RM5.51 billion the previous year.
Anwar’s visit marks the final leg of Malaysia’s MADANI Diplomacy mission to three African countries.
The Prime Minister is scheduled to depart Nairobi today, concluding the historic tour that seeks to strengthen economic, political, and cultural ties between Malaysia and the African continent. - November 24, 2025
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