Kenya has signed a host country arrangement with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) to establish a country office in Nairobi, marking a new phase in cooperation between the two nations.

Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi announced the agreement on Monday, June 1, 2026, following talks with KOICA Vice President Hong Seok-hwa. The new office will act as a liaison between KOICA headquarters in Seoul and its programmes in Kenya.

Mudavadi said the arrangement will improve coordination and delivery of development projects across key sectors.

“Together with Mr Hong Seok-hwa, Vice President of KOICA, we officially signed the Host Country Arrangement establishing a KOICA Country Office in Kenya,” he said in a post on X.

He added that the office represents a step forward in Kenya–South Korea relations and will strengthen how both countries manage development cooperation.

“The new office will serve as a liaison office for KOICA Headquarters in Seoul and marks a major milestone in strengthening Kenya–South Korea relations and enhancing coordination and implementation of development cooperation programmes,” he said.

Deepening Kenya-Korea cooperation

The partnership will focus on education, healthcare, technology transfer, infrastructure development, public sector capacity building and youth empowerment. It also seeks to promote investment, skills exchange and job creation.

KOICA is already running seven projects in Kenya. These projects target quality education, climate resilience and improved health services, especially hygiene and public health interventions.

Officials say the new office will make it easier to align ongoing programmes with Kenya’s development priorities and reduce delays in implementation.

The announcement comes as Kenya and South Korea deepen cooperation in trade, innovation and development financing. The two countries have recently expanded discussions on science and technology partnerships, including the Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology initiative.

During his visit to Seoul over the weekend, Mudavadi also met Kenyans living in South Korea, where he discussed diaspora engagement, investment opportunities and preparations for the 2027 General Election.

Kenya and South Korea have maintained diplomatic relations for over six decades, but recent engagements have focused on expanding cooperation into new areas such as manufacturing, rare earth minerals and advanced technology.

Government officials say the KOICA office will serve as a practical step in turning those agreements into coordinated action on the ground.