Yesterday Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, H.E. Wycliffe Musalia Mudavadi, met with Australia’s Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Assistant Minister for Immigration, the Hon Matt Thistlethwaite MP, who was in Kenya on an official bilateral visit.
They reaffirmed Kenya and Australia's shared commitment to internationally agreed rules and norms. They also reaffirmed the importance of multilateral cooperation in addressing global challenges; particularly those affecting the Indian Ocean region, which both nations border and depend on for trade, security and climate resilience.
As fellow Indian Ocean countries, Australia and Kenya recognise the region’s strategic significance and the importance of preserving a region that is peaceful and predictable, with habits of cooperation and of collaboration.
Assistant Minister Thistlethwaite met with Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, the Hon Hassan Ali Joho to explore opportunities for advanced cooperation in mining, marine conservation and blue economy development.
Quote attributable to Australia’s Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Assistant Minister for Immigration, the Hon Matt Thistlethwaite MP:
"Kenya is an important partner for Australia and a fellow Indian Ocean nation with whom we share values, interests and a deep commitment to multilateralism. As the region faces complex challenges, from climate change and clean energy transitions to shifting geopolitical dynamics, it is more important than ever that countries like ours work together to uphold the rules and reform the institutions that underpin a stable international order.
"The Indian Ocean is central to our shared prosperity and security. It carries over a third of global container traffic, connects us to some of the world’s fastest-growing economies, and is home to vibrant communities and ecosystems. Australia is committed to shaping a peaceful, prosperous, and secure Indian Ocean region.
"It was a pleasure to be here in person to mark the milestone of 60 years of bilateral relations and continue our cooperation with Kenya."
Quote attributable to the Prime Cabinet Secretary, and Foreign and Diaspora Affairs H.E. Dr. Musalia Mudavadi EGH:
"I welcome Australia’s Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Assistant Minister for Immigration the Hon. Matt Thistlethwaite MP for his first visit to Kenya.
"Our discussions reflected on the warm and enduring friendship between Kenya and Australia, a relationship that has flourished for over six decades. Drawing from this strong foundation, we explored fresh avenues to deepen and expand our cooperation in areas of shared strategic interest.
"We focused on key sectors including trade and investment, agriculture, tourism, mining, sports, environmental conservation, climate action and labour migration. We reaffirmed our shared commitment to strengthen collaboration in mining, tapping into Australia’s robust mining sector to bolster Kenya’s economic growth.
"I emphasised the importance of mutual bilateral and multilateral partnerships in attracting more Australian investors to Kenya as a preferred destination, while encouraging the opening of Australian markets to Kenyan products to address the current trade imbalance.
"On maritime security, we agreed on the importance of safeguarding the Indian Ocean, a vital trade route carrying nearly a third of global container traffic. We also underscored the shared opportunity to scale up investments in the blue economy, recognising the ocean’s central role in sustainable development and prosperity for our people."