President Raisi’s demise: List of MoUs late Iranian leader signed with Ruto
Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi was on Monday, May 20, 2024, confirmed dead after the helicopter he was travelling in crashed.
According to the state-run IRNA News Agency, Raisi's body alongside that of Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, the governor of East Azerbaijan province, other officials and bodyguards were recovered Monday morning, some hours after their helicopter crashed in Iran’s wild northwest region.
As the world continues to mourn Raisi, it should be remembered that he was hosted by President William Ruto at State House in Nairobi on July 12, 2023. 
During his short stay in Kenya, the late Iranian leader signed several MoUs with President Ruto. The signing came after bilateral talks between the two leaders.
Ruto and Raisi witnessed the signing of new MoUs and agreements in the areas of agriculture, livestock, culture and heritage, information, ICT, fisheries, housing, urban and metropolitan development.
Information, Communication and Technology
President Ruto who spoke at State House moments after signing MoUs with Raisi said Iran had expressed interest in supporting young Kenyans to innovate and build their startup businesses, through the Iran House of Innovation and Technology.
The MoU would also see more Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVETs) constructed to allow both countries exchange educational experiences, training, and access educational consultancy opportunities. 
“This is an innovative way of enabling enterprises to access Iranian technologies, skills and information,” Ruto explained during a media briefing.
Promotion of Trade and Investments
Ruto said he had a commitment from President Raisi to facilitate the export of more tea, meat and agricultural products to Iran.
The MoU would also see Kenya export products to Central Asian countries through Iran.
Iran also expressed a desire to set up a motor vehicle assembly plant in Mombasa County, thus supporting the mechanical and automotive sectors.
"Iran’s intention to set up a motor vehicle assembly plant in Mombasa to manufacture an indigenous Iranian vehicle that has been given the Kiswahili name – ‘Kifaru’. I reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to fostering and protecting all investments in the country," Ruto explained.
Fisheries
President Ruto and Raisi also explored more ways of creating more jobs for Kenyans.
Kenya reached an agreement with Iran to receive support from the Islamic state to conduct research into the blue economy which will include research into the fishing industry.
The memoranda also aimed at enhancing and further deepening bilateral relations between Kenya and Iran for sustainable growth and development.
