President William Ruto and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi are heading to Moscow for the Third Russia-Africa Summit, where Kenya hopes to open new markets for its tea, coffee and horticultural produce and attract investment in key sectors.
The summit runs from October 28 to 29, 2026, alongside the Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum, which continues until October 30. Mudavadi, who is also Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, left for Moscow on Monday, October 26, ahead of the President, who will lead the Kenyan delegation. The delegation also includes Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary Roselyn Njogu.
The Government says the trip is focused on practical economic gains.
“Kenya will pursue practical economic gains, including greater access to the Russian market for Kenyan tea, coffee, and horticultural produce; investment in priority sectors; and partnerships in agriculture, energy, manufacturing, science, and technology,” it said in a statement.
Mudavadi is expected to hold bilateral talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and meet officials from other participating countries. Talks will also cover cooperation in education, skills development, tourism and technology transfer.
After meeting Russian Ambassador Vsevolod Tkachenko on October 13, Mudavadi said Kenya wants the partnership to deliver results for ordinary citizens.
“For us, this means pursuing new markets for businesses, stronger economic partnerships and opportunities for young innovators,” he said. “Kenya’s place on the global stage must translate into real opportunities for our people.”
Kenya’s embassy in Moscow said the summit will build on progress made since Mudavadi’s visit to Russia in March. This includes an increase in scholarships for Kenyan students to 70 annually, the exploration of professional opportunities for Kenyan youth, and cooperation in the energy sector, including Kenya’s ambition to generate 10,000 MW and its interest in Russia’s advanced nuclear expertise.
Other areas include progress on a Bilateral Air Service Agreement to allow direct flights between the two countries and efforts to expand Kenyan exports to Russia.
The two countries are looking to narrow a wide trade gap. In 2024, Kenya exported goods worth $48.48 million (about Sh6.3 billion) to Russia, mainly tea, coffee and spices, while imports from Russia stood at $589.78 million (about Sh76.6 billion).
The summit also comes as families of Kenyans recruited to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war have asked the Government to raise their concerns in Moscow, including the repatriation of those who have died and the release of those whose contracts have ended.
Kenya’s embassy in Moscow said the matter is being handled through diplomatic channels.
“Kenya continues to engage the Russian Federation through structured diplomatic channels, raising issues related to irregular recruitment, loss of life and the well-being of affected families with firmness, sensitivity and humanitarian vigilance,” it said.
This is the third Russia-Africa Summit, after the first in Sochi in 2019 and the second in St Petersburg in 2023.
