Kenya Offers to Mediate Nile River Talks as Egyptian Minister Visits Nairobi

By Jared Odhiambo 

Kenya has offered to act as an honest broker in the dispute over Nile waters, even as Cairo and Nairobi move to transform their political ties into tangible economic gains.
Speaking on Monday after talks with Egypt's visiting Foreign Minister, Dr. Badr Abdelatty, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi positioned Kenya as a neutral facilitator willing to bridge differences over the utilization of the River Nile.

"Kenya reaffirmed its principled position that no party should be left worse off in the utilization of shared water resources," Mudavadi told journalists in Nairobi.

He acknowledged Egypt's long-standing concerns regarding the Nile's flow, which were articulated during the Nile Council of Ministers meeting in Bujumbura last December. That forum called for dialogue, cooperation, and mutual respect among the 10 Nile Basin countries.

"Kenya stands ready to serve as an impartial facilitator to advance cooperative and sustainable Nile Basin management," the Prime Cabinet Secretary added.

From Political Declarations to Business Deals

Beyond the geopolitics of water, the talks between Mudavadi and Abdelatty focused heavily on implementation. The two leaders reviewed the status of 12 bilateral agreements signed when President William Ruto visited Cairo in January 2025.

Those deals cover sectors ranging from telecommunications and space cooperation to housing and youth empowerment.

"We encourage our private sectors to leverage synergies, diversify traded products, and fast-track the establishment of a Kenya-Egypt Joint Business Council," Mudavadi said.

He admitted that trade between the two countries still faces "facilitation inefficiencies" that need to be ironed out to unlock economic resilience.

Counting Down to a Presidential Visit

The ministers also discussed the proposed State Visit by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to Kenya later this year. According to Mudavadi, Egypt has expressed interest in timing the visit to coincide with the Africa-France Summit scheduled for May 2026 in Nairobi.

"Kenya remains open to constructive engagement on this proposal," Mudavadi stated.

Development Support and Diplomatic Backing

On development cooperation, Mudavadi thanked Egypt for its pledge of USD 7 million toward high-impact projects in Kenya. Cairo has also offered training opportunities for Kenyan diplomats, security personnel, farmers, and religious leaders.

In turn, Nairobi sought Cairo's support for its candidates vying for key positions in African and international bodies. These include Judge Phoebe Okowa for the International Court of Justice and Ms. Nkatha Murungi for the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.

Shared Interest in a Stable Region

The Horn of Africa's security situation also featured prominently in the discussions. Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to supporting peace initiatives in the region.

"Our shared efforts aim is not only to secure stability but also to foster sustainable development and prosperity for our people," Mudavadi said.

He also praised Egypt's role in the African Union Peace and Security Council, noting that Cairo has made "significant contributions in the promotion of peace, stability and conflict resolution."

As Kenya champions the reform of the African Union, Mudavadi stressed the urgency of making the continental body more effective and financially independent, in line with Agenda 2063.

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