Kenya seeks to collaborate with Colombia in a bid to enhance production in the coffee sector, access global markets and research opportunities.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and the Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua are in the South American nation to learn from their successes in the coffee sector and also to strengthen ties between the two countries.
The duo was Thursday accompanied by Colombia's Vice President Francia Elena Márquez Mina as they visited the National Coffee Research Center (Cenicafé) located in Chinchiná, Colombia.
Mutua, speaking on his X platform, stated that Kenya was seeking cooperation in exchange programs for farmers, access to global markets, and research with the goal of improving coffee production and increasing coffee growers' income.
"Gachagua highlighted Colombia's remarkable success in the global market, in contrast to Kenya's current position, emphasizing the crucial need for Kenya to learn from Colombia," he remarked.
"The Deputy President expressed his belief that Kenya will soon establish a consulate in Bogota to facilitate increased trade, and tourism, and strengthen relations between Kenya and Colombia," Mutua added.
Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi, PS Julius Korir (Cabinet Affairs), Governor Hillary Barchok (Bomet), Senators Kamau Mulango (Kirinyaga) and Wahome Wamatinga (Nyeri) were in attendance.
Colombian Ambassador to Kenya Pedro Leon Ruiz also attended, alongside various businesspeople and farmers from Kenya.
The team also conducted a meeting with the Colombian Coffee Growers Federation and conducted a field visit to coffee farms and the research center.