Ruto to oversee signing of key bilateral deals in Astana

President William Ruto is escorted following his arrival in Astana, Kazakhstan, on May 19, 2026/PCS.

‎President William Ruto is set to oversee the signing of a series of key bilateral agreements covering trade and investment during high-level talks with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Astana as Kenya moves to deepen its economic engagement with Central Asia’s largest economy.

‎The agreements, which form the centrepiece of Ruto’s two-day state visit, are expected to strengthen cooperation between Nairobi and Astana across multiple sectors, including trade facilitation, financial services, ICT, energy, tourism, and skills development. 

‎The deals are designed to translate long-standing diplomatic relations into structured economic partnerships with clear implementation frameworks.

‎At the heart of the programme is a formal bilateral session between President Ruto and President Tokayev, where the two leaders are expected to review the status of ongoing cooperation and reaffirm their commitment to expanding commercial ties. 

‎“Kenya and Kazakhstan have had strong and cordial relations for over a decade anchored on deliberate engagements for the mutual benefit of our two countries. It is time to take this partnership to the next level,” Ruto said upon arrival.

‎The talks will also provide a platform for both sides to align priorities on market access, investment flows, and technical collaboration.

‎Following the bilateral discussions, Ruto is scheduled to preside over the official signing ceremony of the agreements, which will be undertaken by senior officials from both governments. 

‎Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi is among those accompanying the president.

‎The deals are expected to open new opportunities for Kenyan exports and attract Kazakh investment into priority sectors of the Kenyan economy.

‎Trade between Kenya and Kazakhstan has been growing steadily in recent years, with Kenyan agricultural products such as tea, flowers, and fertiliser gaining increased visibility in Central Asian markets. 

‎The new agreements are expected to build on this momentum by enhancing logistics coordination and reducing barriers to trade, thereby enabling more efficient movement of goods between the two regions.

‎A key focus of the discussions is expected to be the expansion of cooperation in infrastructure and logistics, including earlier proposals for Kazakh participation in the development of the logistics hub at the Port of Mombasa. 

‎The idea includes potential investment in a modern grain handling terminal aimed at boosting agricultural trade and improving regional supply chains.

‎Beyond trade, the agreements will also prioritise investment cooperation in financial services and digital transformation. 

‎Kenya is seeking to position itself as a regional hub for innovation and technology, while Kazakhstan brings experience from its rapidly developing economy in Central Asia, creating potential synergies in ICT development and digital infrastructure.

‎Energy cooperation is also expected to feature prominently, with both countries exploring opportunities in renewable energy development and power sector investment. 

‎This aligns with Kenya’s broader strategy of expanding clean energy capacity while attracting foreign capital into sustainable infrastructure projects.

‎Tourism promotion and cultural exchange programmes are also part of the expected agreements, aimed at boosting people-to-people ties and increasing tourist flows between the two countries. 

‎The current engagements build on earlier diplomatic milestones, including the first official bilateral meeting between President Ruto and President Tokayev held in New York on the sidelines of the 78th United Nations General Assembly on September 20, 2023. 

‎That meeting laid the groundwork for deeper cooperation and set in motion discussions on investment and trade facilitation.

‎Since then, both countries have moved to institutionalise their partnership through the establishment of expert working groups on trade, transport, ICT, and tourism. 

‎Kazakhstan, the largest economy in Central Asia with a GDP exceeding $286 billion, presents a growing market for Kenyan exports, particularly value-added agricultural goods. 

‎For Kenya, the engagement forms part of a broader strategy to diversify export destinations and reduce reliance on traditional markets in Europe and the Middle East.

‎Ruto is also expected to hold meetings with Kazakh business leaders Wednesday, where investment opportunities in manufacturing, infrastructure, and agribusiness will be discussed before his return to Nairobi.