President William Ruto on Friday joined Madagascar in marking the country’s 66th Independence Day during an official state visit to Antananarivo, becoming the first Kenyan Head of State to undertake an official visit to the island nation since it gained independence in 1960.
The Independence Day celebrations were held at the Barea Mahamasina Stadium and attended by Madagascar’s leadership, government officials, members of the diplomatic corps and invited guests. The event featured military parades and cultural performances commemorating Madagascar’s independence from France.
Alongside the celebrations, President Ruto is holding bilateral engagements with Madagascar’s leadership aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries in trade, agriculture, information and communication technology (ICT), aviation and investment.
Accompanying the President are Cabinet Secretaries Lee Kinyanjui, William Kabogo and Mutahi Kagwe, who are participating in a Kenya–Madagascar Business Forum bringing together government officials and private sector representatives from both countries. The forum is expected to discuss opportunities for expanding bilateral trade, increasing investment and improving commercial cooperation in key economic sectors.
The visit forms part of ongoing diplomatic engagement between Kenya and Madagascar, with both governments seeking to strengthen economic and political ties. Discussions are expected to focus on improving market access, enhancing agricultural cooperation, expanding digital partnerships and exploring opportunities to improve air connectivity between the two countries.
Kenya and Madagascar maintain diplomatic relations through the African Union and other regional and international organisations, although trade between the two countries remains relatively modest. Government officials have in recent years expressed interest in increasing bilateral trade and encouraging private sector investment.
President Ruto’s visit follows earlier engagements between the two governments aimed at deepening cooperation. Officials from both countries have indicated that closer collaboration could support trade, tourism and investment while facilitating the exchange of expertise in agriculture and technology.
Madagascar observes its Independence Day annually on June 26 to commemorate its independence from France in 1960. This year’s celebrations provided an opportunity for bilateral meetings between the Kenyan and Malagasy governments in addition to the official state ceremonies.
The state visit comes as Kenya continues its diplomatic engagements across Africa, with the government pursuing bilateral agreements focused on trade, investment and sectoral cooperation as part of its broader foreign policy agenda.
