The Honourable Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State (International Development), has concluded a visit to Kenya focused on advancing Canada's development and commercial partnerships, engaging on humanitarian issues and deepening bilateral ties for mutual economic growth.
Secretary of State Sarai announced a total of $11.75 million in humanitarian assistance and development projects. The new projects focus on investing in Canadian expertise to advance Kenya's readiness for future low-carbon power generation, providing skills training, supporting humanitarian assistance for refugees in Kenya and strengthening human rights across the region.
Secretary of State Sarai also highlighted five projects underway in Kenya in partnership with the International Development Research Centre to which Canada has provided approximately $3 million. These initiatives are helping expand economic opportunities for women and youth; use drone technology to deliver essential medical supplies in rural areas; bring reliable, clean electricity to primary health‑care facilities; support responsible artificial intelligence policy research and development; and increase access to clean-cooking solutions in low-income, climate-fragile communities.
While in Kenya, Secretary of State Sarai spent a full day at Kakuma Refugee Camp, one of the world's largest refugee settlements, hosting more than 300,000 people from 23 countries, including South Sudan, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Somalia. While there, he met with representatives of humanitarian organizations and engaged with refugees preparing to pursue education in Canada through the Student Refugee Program of the World University Service of Canada. He also visited the Mathare Settlement, where he met post-secondary scholars funded by Canada through the Canada-Mathare Education Trust.
During an event at the Wilson Airport, Secretary of State Sarai announced that Canadian industry leaders will be establishing an aircraft maintenance training centre with partners in Kenya. A plane with a Canadian-made engine takes off every 20 minutes in Kenya and supports 70% of the humanitarian airlift capacity in Sub Saharan Africa. At the event, Secretary of State Sarai showcased Canada's strong aerospace capabilities in the region, including in support of connectivity, tourism and humanitarian operations. He highlighted the Government of Canada's commitment to supporting Canada's world-class aerospace expertise and technicians while deepening bilateral economic cooperation with Kenya.
While in Nairobi, he met with Canadian business and development partners, and representatives of the Government of Kenya: Musalia Mudavadi, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs; John Mbadi Ng'ongo, Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning; and J. Opiyo Wandayi, Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum. They discussed shared economic priorities, including agri-food value chains, clean energy and expanded commercial opportunities in Kenya for Canadian firms, as well as the multinational Gang Suppression Force in Haiti.
Additional activities during the visit showcased Canada's support for agricultural innovation, technical and vocational training and clean-technology entrepreneurship.
At each stop he made, Secretary of State Sarai emphasized the importance of aligning development and trade to foster sustainable economic opportunities for Kenyan communities while opening new markets for Canadian expertise and innovation. This approach is guided by Canada's Africa Strategy to advance shared priorities in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
