Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga on Thursday, July 3, 2025, held a high-level meeting with the Acting Indian High Commissioner to Kenya and Deputy Permanent Representative of India to UNEP and UN-Habitat, Sushil Prasad.
The meeting underscored the enduring diplomatic and cultural ties between Kenya and India—bonds that Raila noted predate colonial rule.
In a statement shared via his official X account, Raila said:
“I have had a fruitful meeting with the Ag. Indian High Commissioner, Mr. Sushil Prasad. We discussed the historic bond of friendship and cooperation between Kenya and India, which dates back to before colonial times.
“It’s heartening to see our nations continue to strengthen ties and explore new avenues for collaboration.”
Raila Odinga’s post. PHOTO/A screengrab by People Daily Digital from an X post by @RailaOdinga
Images from the meeting showed the two leaders in a formal setting, flanked by Kenyan and Indian flags and seated against a backdrop featuring a carved wall panel with elephant motifs.
A symbolic moment was captured during the exchange of a book titled “India in Two Minutes,” handed over by the Indian envoy, highlighting the countries’ growing cultural and diplomatic rapport.
Raila Odinga’s post on X. PHOTO/A screengrab by People Daily Digital@RailaOdinga/X
Prasad, who assumed his role in March 2025, is tasked with reinforcing India’s presence in Kenya, both bilaterally and through UN agencies headquartered in Nairobi.
India and Kenya share a rich history of cooperation through institutions such as the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Commonwealth, G-77, and the Indian Ocean Rim Association.
Trade between the two nations has flourished over the years, with India exporting pharmaceuticals, steel, and machinery, while Kenya supplies tea, vegetables, and soda ash.
Raila’s meeting with the envoy comes months after his bid for the African Union Commission chairmanship, reflecting his continued engagement with diplomatic partners and international stakeholders.
The encounter, while largely ceremonial, reaffirms Kenya’s longstanding partnership with India—one rooted in shared values, economic ties, and mutual respect. As global geopolitics shift, such engagements position both nations to explore new avenues of collaboration in trade, technology, education, and regional peacebuilding.
