President William Ruto on Monday officially bid farewell to Italian ambassador to Kenya, Roberto Natali, whose tour of duty has come to an end.
The farewell ceremony took place at State House, Nairobi, and marked the conclusion of Natali’s diplomatic tenure, which has seen a strengthening of relations between the two nations.
In a message shared on social media platform X, Ruto praised Natali’s contributions to Kenya-Italy relations.
“Congratulated him for strengthening the ties between our two nations and wished him well in his future endeavours,” Ruto said.
The President highlighted the robust relationship between Kenya and Italy, which spans over 60 years, anchored in key sectors such as trade and investment, education, health, agriculture, culture, and people-to-people exchange.
“Kenya stands ready to work with Italy to implement the Mattei Plan for Africa, which promotes partnerships in energy, infrastructure and health,” Ruto added.
Italy exports machinery, optical apparatus, pharmaceuticals, and mineral fuels to Kenya, while Kenya exports horticultural products like vegetable oils, fruits, processed crustaceans, coffee, and tea to Italy.
Italy is also increasingly investing in Kenyan sectors such as agriculture, leather, and technology, fostering trade in these areas.
It was among the first nations to recognise Kenya’s independence in 1963, establishing its embassy in Nairobi shortly after.
Kenya reciprocated in 1974 with the opening of its embassy in Rome.
The diplomatic relationship has since evolved into a multifaceted partnership rooted in mutual respect and long-term development goals.
The Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) plays a central role in Italy’s engagement with Kenya.
Working in alignment with the Kenyan government’s development priorities — particularly Kenya Vision 2030 — AICS promotes initiatives across key sectors such as agriculture, irrigation, health, and education.
Bilateral cooperation was formally anchored through the Agreement for Economic, Technical and Development Cooperation, signed on November 19, 1985. Since then, Kenya has become a priority country for Italy's international development initiatives.
In March 2023, during Italian President Sergio Mattarella’s state visit to Kenya, the two countries launched the Kenya-Italy Sustainable Development Partnership, a multi-year strategy covering the period 2023–2027.
The plan harmonises Italy’s development cooperation priorities with Kenya’s national development blueprint, Vision 2030.
The strategic framework focuses on three of the five pillars of the United Nations 2030 Agenda and promotes joint efforts in sustainable agriculture, social services, and governance, among other areas.
AICS continues to fund bilateral initiatives through grants and concessional loans, while also supporting Italian Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) active in Kenya.
These CSOs have been present in the country for decades, participating in both development and emergency initiatives, often in collaboration with local communities and institutions.
As Natali concludes his term, both countries reaffirm their commitment to deepening cooperation under shared values of friendship, development, and solidarity.
