Kenya and Armenia Sign Deal to Deepen Diaspora Affairs Cooperation

Kenya, June 19, 2026 - Kenya and Armenia have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding on diaspora affairs cooperation aimed at strengthening collaboration between their diaspora communities. The agreement was signed by Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary Roseline Njogu and Armenia's High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs Zareh Sinanyan. Under the MoU, the two countries will collaborate to reinforce diaspora consultation and cooperation, promote shared values abroad, advance joint awareness initiatives, facilitate knowledge exchange, strengthen youth cooperation and promote cultural heritage initiatives. To ensure seamless implementation, the two governments will establish a joint committee that will conduct periodic review and monitoring, facilitate information exchange and propose new areas of collaboration. "The MoU reflects Kenya's commitment to advancing diaspora diplomacy as a strategic pillar of national development under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda and as a crucial component of Kenya's Foreign Policy," the statement read. "It positions the diaspora as active partners in fostering cultural exchange, economic collaboration and people-to-people ties between Kenya and Armenia. The Government of Kenya remains steadfast in its mandate to protect, engage and empower Kenyans globally, ensuring their rights, welfare and dignity remain paramount national priorities," it added. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is optimistic that the MoU will also strengthen bilateral relations and deepen engagements between Kenya and Armenia. The announcement comes just two weeks after Kenya signed six new agreements with South Africa aimed at strengthening economic and cultural ties. Those agreements were signed between ministers of both nations in a ceremony witnessed by President William Ruto and his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on June 4. Agreements signed between the two countries encompassed sectors such as shipping and maritime, gender equality and empowerment, technical and vocational training, arts, culture and heritage, and sports and recreation. Ministers who participated in the signing included Mining and Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho, Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui, Gender Cabinet Secretary Hanna Cheptumo and Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba. President Ruto maintained that the fresh agreements will reinforce the healthy relationships the two nations have built over the past three decades.