President William Ruto on Wednesday met Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Waleed Al Khuraiji, at State House, Nairobi, to discuss strengthening diplomatic and trade relations between the two nations.
During the meeting, President Ruto emphasized the strong and cordial ties Kenya shares with Saudi Arabia, which have been fostered through diplomatic engagements, trade, and people-to-people interactions. He noted that the relationship between the two nations continues to grow, benefiting both economies.
“Our bonds of friendship have been strengthened by the opening of the Kenya Consulate in Jeddah to ease travel for businesspeople and pilgrims,” President Ruto said.
Saudi Arabia remains one of Kenya’s key trading partners in the Middle East, with significant economic cooperation in sectors such as energy, labor, and investment. Thousands of Kenyan workers are employed in Saudi Arabia, contributing to Kenya’s economy through remittances. Additionally, Saudi Arabia is a major importer of Kenyan agricultural products.
The discussions also focused on enhancing trade partnerships, investment opportunities, and collaboration in areas such as tourism and infrastructure. The meeting comes as Kenya continues to seek stronger international alliances to boost economic growth and create opportunities for its citizens.
Deputy Minister Al Khuraiji reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to working closely with Kenya to further deepen diplomatic and economic ties. He expressed appreciation for the growing partnership and the efforts made to facilitate smoother business and travel relations between the two nations.
The meeting underscores Kenya’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its foreign relations, particularly in the Gulf region, as the government looks to expand trade opportunities and attract more investment into the country.