President William Ruto has extended congratulations to Sana E Taka Ichi on her election as the 104th Prime Minister of Japan, pledging to deepen the long-standing partnership between the two nations.

She became the first female prime minister in Japan’s history.

In a letter dated October 21, 2025, addressed to Prime Minister Ichi, President Ruto noted that her election reflects the confidence of the Japanese people in her leadership. He reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to strategic collaboration with Japan, highlighting the importance of ongoing development cooperation across multiple sectors.

“Kenya deeply values the generous development cooperation that Japan continues to extend across diverse sectors of our national priorities,” President Ruto wrote.

He added that Kenya seeks to strengthen bilateral and multilateral collaboration in pursuit of peace, stability, and sustainable development.

“I am equally gratified by our shared determination to strengthen collaboration—bilaterally and multilaterally—in pursuit of peace, stability, and sustainable development. Kenya seeks to deepen cooperation with Japan in addressing emerging global challenges and in reinforcing the international system to better serve our common interests and aspirations for inclusive growth and sustainable prosperity.”

The President also referenced discussions held with his predecessor at the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) and the jointly endorsed TICAD 9 Declaration.

“The discussions reaffirm the shared resolve to elevate Kenya-Japan relations to even greater heights,” he said, noting that his February 2024 visit to Japan focused on advancing private sector-led initiatives for mutual benefit.

Decades of strong cooperation

Kenya and Japan have enjoyed decades of close diplomatic and development ties, particularly in agriculture, infrastructure, and youth empowerment. Earlier this year, the partnership was highlighted during a high-level consultative meeting between Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary, Musalia Mudavadi, and Tanaka Akihiko, President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Tanaka toured several JICA-funded projects, including the Ahero Irrigation Scheme in Kisumu County. The rehabilitated scheme has increased rice production, improved food security, and created employment opportunities in the agricultural value chain.

Infrastructure projects have also benefited from Japanese support. Tanaka visited the Mombasa Gateway Bridge, which is set to transform regional connectivity and trade logistics in East Africa. The bridge connects Mombasa Island to the mainland south, replacing the ferry system currently operated by the Kenya Ferry Service.

Japan’s Ambassador to Kenya, Hiroshi Matsumoto, encouraged Kenya to secure exhibition space at TICAD 9 to promote agricultural exports such as tea, coffee, and cut flowers.

President Ruto expressed optimism that under Prime Minister Ichi, Kenya-Japan relations would continue to grow. He also invited the new Prime Minister to visit Kenya at a mutually convenient time to chart a renewed path for bilateral cooperation.

The TICAD process, led by Japan since 1993 and co-hosted by the UN, UNDP, the World Bank, and the African Union Commission, has consistently provided a platform to strengthen ties between Japan and African nations. Through JICA, Japan has funded projects in clean water access, education, public health, and infrastructure development across Kenya.

With TICAD 9 scheduled for August 20-22, 2025, in Yokohama, Kenya looks set to use the platform to further showcase its development achievements and attract private sector investment, strengthening a partnership that continues to deliver tangible benefits to both nations.