This article covers the history of India's relations with Kenya, visits by heads of state and government, recent ministerial exchanges and cooperation in regional and multilateral bodies. It is based on the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) bilateral brief of March 2026. Trade, development cooperation, culture and consular matters are covered in the other articles of this guide.

Historical ties

According to the MEA brief of March 2026, the presence of Indians in East Africa is documented in the 'Periplus of the Erythraean Sea', or Guidebook of the Red Sea, written by an ancient Greek author in 60 AD. The brief states that a well-established trade network existed between India and the Swahili Coast before European exploration.

India and Kenya share a common legacy of struggle against colonialism. The brief records that many Indians participated in and supported the freedom struggle of Kenya.

India's mission in Nairobi

India established the office of Commissioner for British East Africa, resident in Nairobi, in 1948. Apa Saheb Pant was the first Commissioner. Following Kenyan independence in December 1963, a High Commission was established, resident in Nairobi.

The partnership today

The brief describes the contemporary partnership as marked by regular high-level visits, increasing trade and investments, defence and security cooperation, health and digital public infrastructure, cultural cooperation and extensive people to people contacts.

Early high-level visits

Indian visits to Kenya recorded in the brief include those of Vice President Dr. S Radhakrishnan in 1956; Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi for the Kenyan Independence celebrations in 1963, followed by visits in 1970 and 1981; Prime Minister Morarji Desai in 1978; and President Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy in 1981.

From the Kenyan side, President Moi visited India in 1981 and in 1983, the second time for the NAM Summit. President Uhuru Kenyatta visited in 2017 and President William Ruto in 2023.

Prime Minister Modi's State visit, 2016

The State visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Kenya on 10 and 11 July 2016 is described in the brief as having given a new impetus to the bilateral partnership. Seven MoUs and Agreements were signed during the visit, in the fields of defence, housing, trade and developmental assistance.

The Prime Minister delivered a special lecture to a large gathering of students at the University of Nairobi and visited the United Nations Office at Nairobi. Other outcomes of the visit, including gifts and grants, business agreements and his meeting with the Indian community, are covered in the relevant articles of this guide.

President Kenyatta's State Visit, 2017

President Uhuru Kenyatta paid a State Visit to India from 10 to 12 January 2017. The visit was preceded by his attendance at a summit in Gujarat on 10 January. An MoU on Cooperation in the agriculture sector and allied sector was signed during the visit.

Earlier, President Kenyatta attended the 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit and held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Modi in October 2015.

President Ruto's State Visit, 2023

President William Ruto paid a State Visit to India from 4 to 6 December 2023. Five MoUs and agreements were signed during the visit, in the areas of Sports, Digital Solutions, Culture, Standards and Education.

Documents issued during the visit included an India-Kenya Joint Statement and a Joint Maritime Vision Statement titled BAHARI. The announcements listed in the brief also include Kenya's decision to join the ISA and the GBA. Commitments on credit, space training and scholarships announced during the same visit are described in the development and culture articles of this guide.

Ministerial visits from India

The brief describes regular Ministerial visits from India to Kenya. Recent visits include:

  • Speaker of Lok Sabha Om Birla, from 16 to 18 January 2023, with a parliamentary delegation. He held meetings with the Kenyan leadership and the presiding officers of Parliament.
  • Minister of State for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs V. Muraleedharan, on 22 and 23 November 2023. The business side of this visit is covered in the trade article.
  • Minister of State for External Affairs and Environment, Forest and Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh, from 9 to 13 December 2025, to attend the 7th United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA).

Ministerial visits from Kenya

The brief also records regular high-level visits from Kenya to India. Those of a general political character include:

  • Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Principal Secretary John Tanui, who took part in the 3rd Voice of Global South Summit in August 2024.
  • Principal Secretary for Shipping and Maritime Affairs Geoffrey Kaituko, who visited India in November 2024 for the Sagarmanthan Dialogue.
  • Cabinet Secretary for ICT William Kabogo Gitau, who visited India in May 2025 for WAVES 2025.
  • Chief Justice Martha Koome, who visited India from 21 to 27 November 2025.
  • Speaker Moses Wetangula, who led a delegation from 14 to 16 January 2026 for the Commonwealth Speakers' Conference.
  • Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who visited India in March 2026 for the Raisina Dialogue and held bilateral talks with the External Affairs Minister.

Visits by Kenyan officials for health, digital governance and capacity-building programmes are listed in the development article.

Regional and multilateral cooperation

The brief states that India and Kenya cooperate closely in regional and multilateral fora. It notes that Kenya is an important member of the AU Committee of 10 Heads of State responsible for preparing the common African position on UNSC reforms. India and Kenya are also founding members of IORA.