On 1 and 2 July, the Minister of the Interior, Prefect Matteo Piantedosi, carried out an official mission to Kenya — the first ever visit by an Italian Interior Minister to the country. The mission forms part of the strengthening of the bilateral partnership promoted under the Mattei Plan for Africa, which counts Kenya among the priority countries of Italy’s renewed strategy on the continent.
Two cooperation instruments were signed during the visit. With the Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Interior, Kipchumba Murkomen, Minister Piantedosi signed a Letter of Intent paving the way for the conclusion of a bilateral Security Cooperation Agreement, expected in the coming months. With the Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, a Memorandum of Understanding on migration and mobility was signed, aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries on the management of migration flows, the prevention of irregular immigration and returns, while developing legal entry channels in parallel.
The Minister also met with the Inspector General of the Kenya National Police Service, Douglas Kanja Kirocho, to deepen operational cooperation between the respective police forces, in particular in countering terrorism, drug trafficking and human trafficking.
Describing Kenya as “a strategic partner for Italy”, the Minister of the Interior underlined the shared will to consolidate a cooperation founded on security and the orderly management of mobility. The mission follows the State visit of the President of the Republic of Kenya, William Ruto, to Italy last April, confirming the growing intensity of relations between the two countries.
