Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has held a meeting with Neil Wigan, the United Kingdom High Commissioner to Kenya.

In a statement after the meeting on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, Raila said the meeting focused on Kenya’s long running relationship with the UK, the state of the Kenyan nation and the evolving international system.

“I had a very illuminating discussion with HE Neil Wigan, the United Kingdom High Commissioner to Kenya this morning focusing on our country’s long-running relationship with the UK, the state of the Kenyan nation and the evolving international system. I was happy to learn that the UK is keen to strengthen ties with our countries through a shift from traditional aid to economic investment,” Raila stated.

“I was also happy to hear from Mr Wigan of the UK and Europe’s determination to maintain engagement with the international community including Africa, on issues that have kept the international system working. Long live Kenya-UK partnership.”

Kenya-UK trade ties

According to the Ministry of Trade, Kenya and the UK enjoy a longstanding, mutually rewarding partnership in trade, foreign direct investment, development assistance and other areas of cooperation.

The UK is the largest foreign investor in Kenya, with a portfolio estimated at £2.7 billion (Ksh385 billion).

The government says over 220 British companies have invested across all sectors and regions of the country, contributing to Kenya’s economic and social prosperity through jobs, incomes and economic growth.

Also, the UK is one of Kenya’s leading trading partners outside the EAC. The value of annual trade between the two countries is estimated at Ksh70-90 billion.

Kenya has continuously enjoyed a favourable trade balance since 2016. The highest was Ksh8.6 billion in 2018 when the value of Kenya’s exports was Ksh40.2 billion, relative to imports valued at Ksh31.6 billion.