President William Ruto on Sunday evening hosted a grand state banquet at State House, Nairobi, in honour of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is on an official visit to Kenya. The event marked a significant moment in the strengthening of diplomatic and economic ties between Nairobi and Kuala Lumpur.
Among the dignitaries present were Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Kenya Defence Forces Chief General Charles Kahariri, who joined other senior government officials in welcoming the Malaysian leader. Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja was also part of the high-ranking delegation that received Prime Minister Anwar upon his arrival in the country.
Prime Minister Anwar landed in Nairobi at around 6 pm, accompanied by Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Zaliha Mustafa. His visit follows his participation in the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, underscoring Kenya’s growing relevance in global diplomatic engagements.
In his banquet address, Anwar praised President Ruto’s reform agenda, singling out the Affordable Housing Programme as a model for nations seeking to promote dignified living for low-income communities.
“One aspect that is particularly exciting for me is President William Ruto’s programme for housing for the poor; this exemplifies the spirit of remarkable leadership,” he said. He added that the President’s determination to transform Kenya demonstrated purposeful use of power and vision for national development.
Prime Minister Anwar’s official visit is expected to deepen cooperation between the two nations in several priority sectors, including the digital economy, housing, education, and investment. Discussions between the two leaders are anticipated to pave the way for new bilateral agreements and expanded partnerships that support Kenya’s long-term economic goals.
The state banquet provided an opportunity for both delegations to reaffirm their commitment to strengthening ties, setting the stage for productive engagements throughout the Malaysian leader’s visit.
