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his is the first official visit of the Kenyan leader to Colombia, where he was welcomed by Colombian Vice President, Francia Marquez Mina, after she recently attended the Africa Climate Summit 2023, in Nairobi. They discussed joint collaboration on common issues, such as health, agriculture, education, environmental conservation, among others.

Bogota, Colombia, September 12th, 2023

“Colombia has the agenda 2022-2026 to reconnect with the African continent and Kenya has been our best ally in terms of that strategy”. With these words, the Vice President of Colombia, Francia Marquez Mina, welcomed this Tuesday Deputy President of Kenya, Rigathi Gachawa, on his first official visit to the South American country.

Mr. Gachawa’s visit to Colombia came just a few days after Vice President Marquez made her second visit to Kenya, where she attended last September 4th the Africa Climate Summit, which took place in Nairobi.

A first salute of honor was offered to Mr. Gachawa and then both delegations from Colombia and Kenya met privately to discuss the main topics of their agendas, which were shared by the Kenyan representative in the statement to the media.

“During this visit, we have opened a new path of deepening our collaboration in various sectors including agriculture, gender, education, science and technology, culture, transport, health, environmental conservation, among others. These are the first on our desire to enhance trade and investment”, explained Gachawa.

On her part, Vice President Marquez, expressed about this meeting: “We have had a dialogue between our fellow ministers, vice ministers, to advance on common commitments to international cooperation, bilateral cooperation between the two nations”.

Facilitating tourism

One of the important announcements that soon will be made by the Kenyan Deputy President will be related to strengthening tourism between Colombia and Kenya, through flights and visa facilities.

“Kenya is excited that we have also opened discussions on adding visa requirements for diplomatic and service passport holders, a decision will be made an announcement”, said Gachawa.

In that sense, Marquez highlighted the rich biodiversity both countries have to offer: “In terms of tourism, they have a biodiverse wealth in their enormous territory, just as we have it in Colombia. And I see there is a huge potential for the well-being and development of our regions, our communities, our territories”.

Colombia and Kenya, coffee countries

During his visit to Colombia, Mr. Gachawa announced he will participate in the Producer Roaster Forum that will take place this month in the city of Medellin, event that gathers representatives from all over the coffee countries of the world.

“We have identified the Colombian coffee subsector as one of the best global. This is why the producers and roasters forum is taking place here (in Colombia). We have also come to meet the potential buyers of our product at better terms. The farmers who are part of my delegation will also basically account for a path in Medellin, alongside research institutions on coffee to learn good practices. We thank the government of Colombia for making it possible for our farmers to connect and learn and appreciate good practices”, stated Mr. Gachawa.

Popular economy

During her statement, Colombia Vice President Marquez remarked on the bilateral cooperation between the two countries, around a new economic focus, addressed to the popular economy.

In that direction, one of the programs highlighted by Marquez was “She exports to Africa”, supporting 30 entrepreneurial​ women who will soon export goods and services to Kenya, “from those marginalized and excluded territories, so that their productive initiatives, their economic ventures have a place in international trade. We hope to be sending soon the first containers with products made by Colombian women going to Kenya and vice versa, women from Kenya and Africa can export to Colombia”.

Cultural Exchange

One of the most important areas where Colombia and Kenya will open opportunities is culture and education. Vice President Marquez said in her statement that both countries will export language services to each other. 

“In terms of language, Colombia is going to bring Spanish language to Kenya, as it has already been doing, training the Kenyan diplomats in Spanish and they have offered us in return exchange in terms of their mother tongue, which is Swahili”, stated Marquez.

Marquez also revealed that the Ministry of Culture presented an initiative to promote film co-production between Kenya and Colombia, as a bid to strengthen cultural production and ties between Africa and South America.