Kenya, Russia to boost trade relations

By Peter Ochieng

President William Samoei Ruto on Monday at State House, Nairobi, hosted Russian Foreign Affairs Minister, Sergei Lavrov.

The two leaders agreed to deepen the relations between Kenya and Russia for increased trade volumes.

According to a dispatch from State House, President Ruto said trade between the two countries is still low despite the huge potential.

He said the two countries will in the coming months, sign a trade pact that will give business the necessary boost.

Ruto and Lavrov agreed on the need to reform the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), to make it more representative and responsive to the needs of the 21st century.

The Head of State said Africa should be represented at the Security Council, the UN’s top-decision making organ, on a permanent basis.

“The continent can bring to the table rich ideas, suggestions and experiences that would serve the globe well,” he noted. "Kenya and Africa is counting on friends like Russia in the creation of a new architecture at the Council," he added. Russia is one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, alongside United States, United Kingdom, France and China. The Council also has 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms, making 15 the total number of members within any given time. Concerning the ongoing Russia-Ukraine War, President Ruto reiterated Kenya’s steadfast position on respect for territorial integrity of member States as outlined in the UN Charter. The war started over a year ago, after Russian army invaded Ukraine. “Kenya calls for a resolution of the conflict in a manner respectful to the two parties,” said the President. On his part, Lavrov said science cooperation between the two countries has been growing. He was in Nairobi on his way to a meeting of the BRICs Ministers of Foreign and International Relations in Cape Town, South Africa.