Kenya and Cyprus are seeking to revive a series of bilateral agreements and cooperation initiatives that have yet to translate into concrete outcomes. The latest push came during a meeting on Tuesday between Kenya's Diplomatic Affairs director general, Amb Josphat Maikara, and Cyprus High Commissioner Nicholaos Manolis. The two sides agreed to establish follow-up mechanisms across government ministries and agencies to accelerate implementation of outstanding commitments.
The discussions focused on finalising pending legal instruments and memoranda of understanding (MoUs), expanding trade and investment, educational scholarships and diplomatic capacity building. The renewed engagement follows a series of agreements and commitments made since July 2025, when Cyprus opened its High Commission in Nairobi. During the visit of Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos to Nairobi in July 2025, the two countries signed an MoU on Political and Diplomatic Consultations.
The MoU established a framework for structured dialogue and regular engagement between the two countries. They also identified several areas for cooperation, including higher education and research, agriculture and livestock development, maritime affairs, tourism and labour mobility. The two governments committed to fast-track pending agreements in higher education and research, agriculture and livestock development, and a Bilateral Air Services Agreement.
They also agreed to begin work on a bilateral agreement to avoid double taxation. Two months later, Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi and Kombos signed another MoU on agricultural cooperation on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The MoU covered smart agriculture, sustainability, innovation and support for farmers, particularly women and young people.
The two sides also agreed to establish a joint technical committee to address low trade volumes, identify barriers and promote investment between the two countries. However, the October meeting suggests that the two governments are still working to move several of these commitments towards implementation. The trade agenda remains particularly important given the relatively small commercial relationship between the two countries.
In 2023, Kenya exported goods worth $3.95 million to Cyprus, mainly fruit juice, cut flowers and processed fruits and nuts, while imports from the Mediterranean island stood at $2.46 million. The proposed Bilateral Air Services Agreement is intended to provide a framework for air connectivity between the two countries, facilitating travel, tourism and business exchanges.
Education is also among the outstanding priorities, with both governments having expressed interest in expanding scholarships, academic exchanges and research partnerships. The latest meeting comes as the Foreign Affairs Ministry seeks to strengthen accountability in the implementation of international commitments, following a broader review of diplomatic engagements launched in June.
Key points
- The two countries are working to finalise pending legal instruments and memoranda of understanding.
- They are also seeking to expand trade and investment, educational scholarships and diplomatic capacity building.
- The two governments committed to fast-track pending agreements in higher education and research, agriculture and livestock development.
