Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, has arrived in Yokohama, Japan, to represent Kenya at the 9th Tokyo International Conference on Africa’s Development (TICAD 9), which officially opens on Wednesday.
In a statement, his Press Secretary, Jacob Ng’etich, confirmed that Mudavadi will attend all plenary sessions and official events, including a welcome reception hosted by Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishida and Yokohama City Mayor Takeharu Yamanaka.
Ahead of the conference, Mudavadi is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Ishida on Tuesday, visit the Yokohama City Assembly, and meet Mayor Yamanaka. He will also take part in a public-private business dialogue and witness the signing of several memoranda of understanding (MoUs) designed to boost economic and technical cooperation between Kenya and Japan.
One of the highlights of Mudavadi’s visit will be his participation in a side event on the Economic Inclusion of Forcibly Displaced Persons in Africa, convened by the UNHCR. Here, he will present Kenya’s Shirika Plan, launched in March 2025, which is transforming refugee camps such as Dadaab and Kakuma into integrated settlements. The plan focuses on providing refugees and host communities with education, healthcare, and opportunities for economic empowerment, marking a shift from temporary humanitarian aid to long-term development solutions.
During the conference, Mudavadi will also receive a courtesy call from Raof Mazou, the UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner for Operations, underscoring Kenya’s growing role as a leader in refugee management and inclusion on the continent.
This year’s TICAD, themed “Co-create Innovative Solutions with Africa,” brings together leaders from Africa, Japan, and global institutions, including the United Nations, the World Bank, and the African Union Commission. The forum is expected to strengthen partnerships in infrastructure development, trade, climate action, and peacebuilding while promoting Japan’s continued collaboration with African nations.
Mudavadi’s participation at TICAD 9 highlights Kenya’s diplomatic drive to secure stronger ties with Japan, advance investment opportunities, and position the country as a model for inclusive development in Africa.
