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Kenya, Slovenia pledge to deepen ties with focus on digital plan
President William Ruto welcomes Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar to State House, Nairobi on May 31, 2025.
What you need to know:
- The two leaders signed a memorandum of understanding to allow for political consultations, dialogue on bilateral issues.
- President Musar is also expected to be the chief guest during the Madaraka Day celebrations in Homa Bay County.
President William Ruto has committed to stronger of ties between Kenya and Slovenia by partnering to ensure digital transformation in the delivery of public services, e-health, smart farming and artificial intelligence.
The Head of State, who was speaking at a media briefing in Nairobi with Slovenia counterpart Nataša Pirc Musar, hailed the digital transformation in the delivery of healthcare in Slovenia insisting that Kenya is keen on such opportunities to improve healthcare.
President William Ruto shows Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar Kenyan artifacts at State House, Nairobi on May 31, 2025.
“We are thrilled by the ongoing digital transformation in smart farming, e-government, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. Kenya is willing to learn from Slovenia by forging partnerships and pushing this innovation to aid the delivery of government services,” President Ruto said.
President Ruto also appealed to President Musar to support Kenya push for reforms at the United Nations Security Council so that Africa is given a permanent representative seat to the global agency.
“We have made it clear on the urgent need for reforms in the global body for the purposes of ensuring that there is equity, inclusivity and accountability. We have made it clear that Africa needs a permanent member in the council,” President Ruto said.
Slovenia, a member of the European Union, has been an active participant in the United Nations since gaining independence from the former Yugoslavia in 1991.
Growing diplomatic influence
It became a UN member state in 1992 and has since served in several key roles, including on the Human Rights Council and as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.
In June 2023, Slovenia was elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2024–2025 term, signaling its growing diplomatic influence and commitment to global peace, security, and cooperation.
President Musar, who is on a three-day visit to Kenya, said her country is seeking Kenya’s support in global bodies such as the United Nations to ensure that common world problems are solved.
“Both President Ruto and I have one thing in common; we care about multilateralism as a way of approaching global challenges. We believe in open dialogue to find solutions that are affecting the world,” President Musar said.
First visit by Slovenian Head of State
The two leaders signed a memorandum of understanding to allow for political consultations, dialogue on bilateral issues for both countries.
The ministries of foreign affairs in both countries will be evaluating the areas of cooperation.
President Musar’s visit is the first by a Slovenian Head of State to Kenya and Africa, symbolizing a new chapter in diplomatic relations between the two countries.
President Musar is also expected to be the chief guest during the Madaraka Day celebrations in Homa Bay County, where she will join Kenyan leaders in marking the country’s 61st year of self-governance.
