Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam met Kenyan President William Ruto during an official visit to Kenya to advance strategic cooperation in water management, security, investment, and regional stability. Abdelatty delivered a written message from President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi to Ruto, expressing Egypt's appreciation for bilateral relations and elevating ties to a strategic partnership. Ruto praised Egypt's role in promoting stability in Africa and the Middle East.
During the meeting, Abdelatty expressed Egypt's anticipation for convening the eighth session of the Egyptian-Kenyan Joint Committee in Cairo later this year, focusing on defence, counter-terrorism, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, water resources, and infrastructure, as well as expanding Egyptian investments in Kenya. He also highlighted Cairo's eagerness to bolster economic cooperation in agriculture, agro-industry, livestock, fisheries, and pharmaceuticals, while encouraging greater involvement of the Egyptian private sector in development projects, transport infrastructure, and logistics hubs.
Regarding Nile water security, Abdelatty emphasized the importance of cooperation among Nile Basin countries based on mutual benefit and consensus. He reiterated Egypt's opposition to unilateral measures and its support for consultative frameworks grounded in international water law. Sewilam stated that Egypt is prepared to expand technical cooperation with Kenya in groundwater drilling, rainwater harvesting dams, modern irrigation systems, and capacity-building programs, expressing Cairo's support for Kenya's initiatives to improve water infrastructure and climate resilience.
The minister further disclosed that Egypt has proposed a financing mechanism valued at $100 million to fund feasibility studies and support dam projects in southern Nile Basin countries. President Ruto praised Egypt's contributions to stability in Africa and the Middle East and reaffirmed Kenya's commitment to deepening bilateral ties in line with their longstanding relations. This encounter follows the Cairo Declaration signed during Ruto's visit to Cairo in January 2025, which paved the way for elevating the partnership.