[PHOTOS] Ruto hosts State Banquet in honour of Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim

Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi and General Charles Kahariri among dignitaries present at the banquet

by Tabnacha Odeny

News23 November 2025 - 21:12

In Summary

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Kenya Defence Force General Charles Kahariri were among the dignitaries present at the banquet.
In his speech, PM Anwar praised Kenya’s Affordable Housing Programme; saying Kenya is taking the lead in providing decent housing for the poor.

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President William Ruto on Sunday hosted a state banquet in honour of visiting Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim at State House, Nairobi.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Kenya Defence Force General Charles Kahariri were among the dignitaries present at the banquet.

In his speech, PM Anwar praised Kenya’s Affordable Housing Programme, saying Kenya is taking the lead in providing decent housing for the poor.

"One aspect that is particularly exciting for me is President William Ruto's programme for housing for the poor; this exemplifies the spirit of remarkable leadership... making sure power is utilised fully," PM Ibrahim said.

'What is appealing to me is President Ruto's determination to push the agenda to develop this country to ensure that Kenya becomes a great nation."

Anwar landed in Nairobi at around 6 pm, accompanied by Investment, Trade, and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Zaliha Mustafa.

He was received by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja and a host of other state dignitaries.

The Malaysian Prime Minister begins his official visit to Kenya today, Sunday, November 23, in a trip expected to boost diplomatic and economic cooperation between Kuala Lumpur and Nairobi, with particular focus on the digital economy, housing, and education.

Anwar arrives fresh from the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.

On Monday morning, he will return to the State House for an official welcoming ceremony, a private meeting with Ruto, and bilateral talks between the two delegations.

The relations between Malaysia and Kenya have been steadily expanding across trade, education, science, technology, and investment. Affordable housing is set to feature prominently in the leaders’ discussions.

“The Kenyan President is very active in advancing affordable housing. Malaysia has been recognised globally for its success in enabling home ownership through similar programmes, and we are ready to share that expertise to help Kenya achieve comparable results,” Malaysia’s High Commissioner to Kenya, Ruzaimi Mohamad, told a local newspaper.

Anwar will also deliver the keynote address at the Malaysia-Africa Higher Education Forum in Nairobi before opening the programme. He is further expected to speak at the Malaysia-Kenya high-level business forum, which will bring together around 200 business representatives from both countries.

During his visit, the PM will also hold a meeting with a Kenyan firm exploring agricultural investment collaboration with a Malaysian partner.

He will later meet leaders of Kenya’s Islamic community and officials from Nairobi’s Jamia Mosque, where he will present copies of the Quran translated into Swahili.

Before wrapping up his mission, Anwar will attend a luncheon with Malaysians living in Kenya, including alumni of the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP).

Anwar will depart Nairobi for Malaysia after concluding the final leg of his three-nation Africa tour, which began on November 18.