NAIROBI – Italian President Sergio Mattarella is set to visit Kenya in March as bilateral ties deepen.
President William Ruto on Friday said the visit will enhance cooperation between the two countries.
“President Mattarella’s visit is a high point in our relationship and we are looking forward to fruitful discussions on water harvesting, distribution and irrigation,” President Ruto said when he met the Italian Ambassador to Kenya Roberto Natali at State House, Nairobi.
The President added that the people of Kenya and Italy have a long and unique relationship epitomized by Malindi which hosts many Italians”.
Ambassador Natali said the Italian government and the private sector are committed to investing in water provision and harvesting in Kenya.
Italy maintains relations with Kenya largely on five key fields: Political, economic, cultural, development, and scientific cooperation.
The President visit follows that of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Luigi Di Maio, who visited Kenya as part of his African tour.
Maio also visited Ethiopia Angola, the Republic of Congo and Mozambique to strengthen the partnership between Italy and Africa.
In Kenya, he inaugurated the Ngong health hub, which was built and equipped by the San Donato Group, alongside then President Uhuru Kenyatta.
He also met with then Foreign Affairs Raychelle Omamo and discussed security, counterterrorism and cooperation.
in November 2020 visited Italy on the margins of his official visit to the Vatican in bid to cement Kenya’s long-standing relationship with Italy as a key development partner.
During the visit, the two leaders discussed several subjects of mutual interest between Kenya and Italy top among them trade and investment, tourism, and the global fight against Covid-19.
The other high-level visit from Italy was the infamous trip by then Prime Minister Matteo Renzi in July 2025, who caused a stir after wearing a bulletproof vest to State House to meet President Kenyatta.
