Kenya and India have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation, with a strong emphasis on education, culture, and technical skills development.
This renewed partnership follows the arrival of Mr. Yogesh Pandey, the newly appointed Attaché for Education and Culture at the High Commission of India in Nairobi.
Mr. Pandey was formally welcomed during a handover ceremony marking the departure of his predecessor, Ms. Priya D. Bhanot, who is set to take up a new assignment in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Ms. Bhanot was commended for her impactful contribution to advancing educational and cultural ties between the two nations.
Central to this ongoing cooperation is the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme, an initiative of the Government of India that provides fully funded training opportunities to Kenyan professionals.
With over 250 annual slots available across various sectors, the programme has played a key role in skills enhancement, knowledge exchange, and strengthening of institutional linkages.
Kenyan participants in the ITEC Programme have benefited from high-quality training, exposure to international networks, and valuable professional experience outcomes that continue to boost individual capacity and support Kenya’s national development goals.
Over the years, the programme has helped many Kenyan professionals acquire critical skills in diverse fields such as information technology, public administration, agriculture, and engineering. This has contributed significantly to Kenya’s human capital development and the strengthening of bilateral ties.
The educational and cultural diplomacy efforts between Kenya and India are supported by regular diplomatic exchanges, cultural festivals, academic partnerships, and joint technical workshops, all of which reinforce the foundation of this enduring bilateral relationship.
Speaking at the ceremony, Head of the Smart Government Directorate under the Executive Office of the President, Mr. Gilbert Matura, expressed confidence in the partnership’s future growth.
“We welcome Mr. Pandey to Nairobi and look forward to working closely with him to advance mutual objectives in education, culture, and technical cooperation. The Government of Kenya remains committed to fostering strategic partnerships that promote skills development, innovation, and people-to-people linkages in line with our national development agenda,” said Mr Matura.
He further noted that Kenya’s collaboration with India—particularly through initiatives like the ITEC Programme—demonstrates the power of education and cultural diplomacy in shaping inclusive, knowledge-based societies.
“We are especially keen on leveraging this partnership to empower our youth, modernize public service delivery, and harness global best practices for national transformation,” Mr Matura added
Kenya and India enjoy longstanding diplomatic relations grounded in mutual respect, shared democratic values, and strong people-to-people connections. The continued exchange of diplomats in strategic portfolios such as education and culture underscores the vitality and enduring strength of this historic partnership.
By Jacqueline Adyang
