Kenya and Italy have signed a cooperation deal to upgrade up to 70 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions in Kenya with state-of-the-art equipment. This aligns with Kenya's goal to leverage TVETs for industrial transformation and integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) expertise.

• The agreement, signed on Monday, February 9, 2026, between Kenya's Ministry of Education and Italy’s Ministry of University and Research, will equip young people with AI and technical skills.
• President William Ruto emphasized that Kenya aims to be a co-creator in AI development and use.
• The partnership includes joint academic programs, faculty exchanges, and student mobility, extending beyond just equipment support, as stated by Italy's Minister for University and Research Anna Maria Bernini.

President William Ruto is hosting heads of diplomatic missions and International Organisations at State House, Nairobi, to enhance Kenya’s international cooperation, an event now established as an annual address.

• This initiative underscores Kenya's commitment to expanding its diplomatic footprint, which has grown from six missions to 70 since independence.
• The meeting highlights Kenya’s leadership in regional peacekeeping and economic diplomacy, covering roles in peace processes across DR Congo, Haiti, Sudan, South Sudan, and Somalia.
• The event serves to set the stage for deeper diplomatic engagements in 2025 and beyond, building on achievements in foreign policy, economic recovery, and regional security.

President William Ruto launched Kenya’s 2026 Diplomatic Brief, outlining the nation's key foreign policy objectives and diplomatic achievements. The brief emphasizes regional integration, economic diplomacy, and global partnerships.

• The brief highlights Kenya's expanded diplomatic footprint and renewed foreign policy focus.
• Key areas include diaspora engagement, trade, security, and climate action.
• Last year, Ruto emphasized Nairobi’s role as a hub for multilateral diplomacy and reforms to global financial and climate frameworks.

Kenya, under President William Ruto, is championing reforms within the African Union Commission to enhance budget accountability and oversight, particularly through the Pan-African Parliament.

• Kenya aims to deepen institutional reforms across continental bodies to improve efficiency, transparency, and responsiveness.
• President Ruto highlighted Kenya's role as African Union Champion for Institutional Reform.
• The reform push aligns with broader goals for institutional strengthening across Africa, including equitable representation at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

During his annual Diplomatic Brief at State House, Nairobi, President William Ruto reiterated Kenya's unwavering commitment to a rules-based global order and multilateralism, advocating for stronger international cooperation amidst rising geopolitical instability.

• President Ruto urged renewed support for multilateral institutions and stressed the importance of a well-resourced United Nations (UN) as it approaches its 80th anniversary.
• He reaffirmed Africa's long-standing call for comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council, demanding permanent representation for the continent.
• Kenya continues to host the only United Nations headquarters in the Global South, demonstrating its commitment to expanding the UN's presence in Nairobi.