The Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding on defence cooperation with the Italian Government.

In a post on his official X account on Monday, April 20, 2026, Mudavadi explained that the MoU marks a significant step in strengthening Kenya–Italy strategic relations.

“Together with Italy’s Minister of Defence, Rt. Hon. @GuidoCrosetto, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding on defence cooperation, marking a key step in strengthening Kenya–Italy strategic relations,” Mudavadi stated.

Mudavadi, who accompanied President William Ruto for a three-day State Visit to Italy explained that the agreement establishes a structured framework for collaboration between the two nations.

According to the Prime CS, the collaborations will include capacity building, training and institutional exchange between our defence institutions.

In addition, Mudavadi noted that the partnership will also enhance our contribution to regional and global peace and security, while deepening bilateral ties and advancing shared strategic interest.

“The agreement establishes a structured framework for collaboration in capacity building, training and institutional exchange between our defence institutions. This partnership will enhance our contribution to regional and global peace and security, while deepening bilateral ties and advancing shared strategic interest,” he added.

Italy State Visit

President William Ruto departed for Rome, Italy, on Sunday, April 19, 2026, for an official State Visit aimed at strengthening Kenya-Italy relations and securing investment in infrastructure, irrigation, energy and agriculture.

State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed posted on his X post dated April 19, 2026, saying that the visit includes scheduled bilateral talks with Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, with several Memoranda of Understanding and sectoral agreements expected to be signed.

A key focus of the discussions is the acceleration of the Arror, Kimwarer and Itare dam projects, which form part of Kenya’s irrigation programme under the government’s national priorities of irrigation, infrastructure expansion and energy generation.

The projects aim to expand irrigated land to 2.5 million acres within seven years, strengthen food security, and support agricultural exports.

The president is expected to participate in the Kenya-Italy Business Forum, where investment opportunities in infrastructure, energy and irrigation will be presented to Italian private sector players and multilateral institutions. These include the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).