New deal may give Kenyans a visa-free access to Russia

The Russian Government is in the process of developing visa free travel for Kenyans seeking to visit the said country for either trade, medical services or education, Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov has said.

Lavrov, who paid a courtesy call to National Assembly speaker Mosses Wetangula reiterated his country’s pledge to continue supporting Kenya in various sectors.

Accompanied by Russian envoy to Kenya Dmitry Maksimychev, Lavrov also added that Russia is ready to enhance trade with Kenya to boost the economy of the country even as he pointed out that Russia was eyeing to promote tourism and agriculture in Kenya.

Easy access

He asked the government to draft a trade agreement that guides Kenya on how to engage in trade with Russia and have it approved by Parliament for implementation.

“Russia is working on introducing visa-free travel to enable Kenyans easily access our country for either trade, medical services or education among others,” he said.

While appreciating the relationship that has existed between Kenya and Russia, the minister also announced that Russia has doubled scholarships for Kenyan students to Russia in an effort to ensure more Kenyans join universities in the said country.

“Currently three schools in Russia are teaching Kiswahili,” said the minister.

Lavrov also held talks with President William Ruto at the State House, where they agreed to deepen relations between the two countries to increase trade volumes.

Ruto stated that the trade volume between Kenya and Russia is still low despite the huge potential, even though he stated that they will sign a trade pact that will give business motivation.

The two leaders agreed on the need to reform the United Nations Security Council to make it more responsive to the needs of the 21st Century.

Ruto said Africa should be represented at the Security Council, the UN’s top-decision-making organ. “The continent can bring to the table rich ideas, suggestions and experiences that would serve the globe well,” he explained.

The President said that Kenya and Africa count on friends like Russia in the creation of a new architecture at the Council.

Russia is a permanent member of the UN Security Council. Others are the United States, United Kingdom, France and China.

On the raging Russia-Ukraine War, President Ruto reiterated Kenya’s steadfast position on respect for territorial integrity of member States as outlined in the UN Charter.

“Kenya won’t take sides on a matter that has friends on both sides. However, we call for a resolution to the conflict in a manner respectful to the two parties,” he said.

Lavrov praised the 60 years’ friendship between his country and Kenya, saying Russia’s relationship with the continent has a new momentum after the 2019 Russia-Africa Summit. Science cooperation between the two countries, he further said, has been growing.

Lavrov was in Nairobi on his way to a meeting of the BRICs Ministers of Foreign and International Relations in Cape Town, South Africa.

The Security Council also has 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms.

Wetangula on his part, assured that the House will support the plan by the executive to stimulate trade between Kenya and Russia.

Bilateral relationship

He however raised concerns that Kenya has not benefited much from trade with Russia despite the two countries enjoying a long-standing bilateral relationship.

“The National Assembly holds the passage to the trade ties for the national government. The House is ready to support efforts by the government to enhance trade with Russia through legislation,” said Hon Wetangula.

He added: “Our focus as a House is to ensure that we enact laws that make trade between Kenya and foreign countries improved and Russia is our target. Give us half of what you give to Sharm el- Sheik in Egypt or half of what you give to Turkey in terms of trade,” Wetang’ula told the minister.

During the meeting, Wetangula also sought support from Russia to enable the National Assembly fully migrate to paperless operations of House business.

According to him, the House has introduced paperless transactions of its business but has not complied with it as they are yet to fully adopt the technology.

“Russia is one of the countries that have excelled in new technology. We need your support too to ensure that Parliament’s decision to migrate to paperless transactions of House business is fully implemented.

The Speaker appreciated the support Kenya has received from the Russian government through the warm and cordial ties the two countries have enjoyed since the establishment of diplomatic relations way back in 1963.

He added that although Russia has been a key supporter of the African continent, African leaders were still being treated as spectators during international meetings hosted by foreign countries.

“Russia’s support to Africa has made the continent free but it is still worrying that African agenda in international meetings has been forgotten and our leaders are always treated as spectators during such forums,” he added

The duo also discussed Kenya’s participation in the forthcoming Russia-Africa Summit and Economic Forum to be held in St Petersburg in July this year.