By Judy Maina
NAIROBI, Kenya — An Azerbaijani delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Yalchin Rafiyev held the first round of political consultations with Kenyan officials in Nairobi on Friday, in a diplomatic move aimed at strengthening bilateral and multilateral ties.
The talks, hosted by Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, were co-chaired by Abraham Korir Sing’Oei, the ministry’s Principal Secretary, and Mr. Rafiyev, according to local media reports.
Discussions centered on deepening cooperation across a range of sectors, including politics, trade, agriculture, and education.
Officials also underscored the potential for joint initiatives in information and digital economies, energy and mineral resource development, and tourism. Azerbaijan promoted its “ASAN Khidmet” public service model as a framework for collaboration.
The two sides also reviewed the evolution of diplomatic relations over the past two decades and explored ways to expand cooperation on international platforms, particularly within the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement.
Later in the day, Mr. Rafiyev met with Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Minister, Musalia Mudavadi. Both parties emphasized that the inaugural consultations marked a turning point in the two nations’ engagement.
In a separate engagement, Mr. Rafiyev also met with Kenyan youth leaders at a forum organized by Charlene Ruto, the country’s Youth Champion and head of the Young People’s Network International.
