TURKEY-KENYA RELATIONS

Bilateral relations between Turkey and Kenya have consistently developed since Kenya gained its independence in 1963 and the Turkish Embassy in Nairobi was opened in 1968. Kenyan Embassy in Ankara was opened in 2012.

There is a fruitful cooperation between Turkey and Kenya in international and regional areas of mutual concern. Turkey considers Kenya as a major actor and important partner in the Continent.

The 2^nd President of the Republic of Kenya H.E. Mr. Daniel arap Moi visited Turkey in 1996 to attend the UN HABITAT Conference, and the 11^th

President of the Republic of Turkey H.E. Abdullah Gül made his maiden trip in Sub-Saharan Africa to Kenya on 20-22 February 2009, which constituted the first bilateral Presidential visit between Turkey and Kenya. Later on H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya and H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of the Republic of Turkey, paid reciprocal visits in 2014 and 2016 respectively.

On the occasion of H.E. Gül’s visit, Turkish Airlines (THY) started to operate commercial flights between Istanbul and Nairobi in 2009. Now THY flies

daily to Nairobi and five times a week to Mombasa from İstanbul. THY also operates cargo flights five times a week
to Nairobi.

In both countries’ parliaments bilateral friendship groups exist.

Bilateral trade volume reached
USD 227 million in 2018. Major Turkish export items to Kenya include refined petroleum products, technological equipment, iron and steel and

agricultural products, whereas Kenyan export items to Turkey mainly include tea, vegetable seeds and raw materials used in the leather industry. Turkish investments in Kenya worth around USD 23 million. Turkish construction firms have realized 11 projects in Kenya with a total value of
USD 377 million.

Humanitarian and development partnerships have also been strong elements of Turkey’s cooperation with Kenya. Turkish Coordination and Cooperation Agency-TİKA Nairobi Office has been operating in Kenya since 2012. As of 2018, TİKA Nairobi Office


has successfully implemented 200 projects all around Kenya particularly in the fields of health, food, agriculture, livestock and education. Kenyan experts regularly participate in Turkey’s capacity-development programs in the areas of security, agriculture, education and health. Various Turkish NGOs also provide health and emergency aid in required areas.

For the academic years 2017-18 and 2018-19, 60 Kenyan students have been funded by the Türkiye Scholarships Program to study in Turkish universities.

Holders of diplomatic andofficial passports are reciprocally exempted from visa
for their travels.