Kenya maintains relations with various countries around the world. Its closest ties are with its fellow Swahili-speaking neighbors in the African Great Lakes region. Swahili speaking neighbours mainly include countries in the East African Community such as Burundi, the DRC, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.

Kenya's relations with other states vary. The government of Ethiopia established political links in the colonial period with Kenya's then British administration, and today it is one of several national bodies with a diplomatic presence in Nairobi. Relations with Somalia have historically been tense, although there has been some military co-ordination against insurgents.

Elsewhere, the Kenyan government has political ties with China, India, Pakistan, Russia, United Arab Emirates, and Brazil. It also maintains relations with Western countries, particularly the United Kingdom, although political and economic instabilities are often blamed on Western activities (e.g. colonialism, paternalistic engagement, and post-colonial resource exploitation).

Diplomatic relations List of countries which Kenya maintains diplomatic relations with: #CountryDate12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637—3839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475767778798081828384858687888990919293949596979899100101102103104105106107108109110111112113114115116117118119120121122123124125126—127128129—130—131132133134135136137138139140141142143144145146147148149150151152153154155156157158159160161162163164165166167168169170171172173174175

Bilateral relations

Africa

East African Community Country Formal relations established Notes Burundi is a partner of Kenya in many areas, particularly trade, security (military), education, agriculture and energy. In 2011, both countries signed a comprehensive bilateral agreement to promote development and technology transfer in agriculture, livestock and fisheries development between them.

During the Burundian ethnic clashes, a significant number of Burundians took up refuge in Kenya. Burundi, along with Kenya, is one of the Swahili-speaking states in the African Great Lakes region. Burundi has an embassy in Nairobi. Kenya has an embassy in Bujumbura. The DRC is a strategic partner of Kenya in many areas, particularly trade and security.

The peace deal between the Government of the DRC and leaders of the M23 rebellion was brokered by multiple parties and was signed in Nairobi in late 2013. M23 was routed in a UN-backed offensive by government troops. Under the deal there would be no amnesty for those wanted for war crimes. The deal was hosted by Uhuru Kenyatta, the President of Kenya. By the end of 2014 both countries were to sign a Joint Commission for Cooperation. Under the agreement Kenya was to establish a consulate in Goma and DRC in Mombasahttp://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Kenya--DR-Congo-to-open-consulates-to-boost-trade/-/539546/1745512/-/6e4w00z/-/index.html . Kenya, DR Congo to open consulates to boost trade Retrieved on 7 January 2015. The deal would help deepen trade and investment between both countries.

Both countries are inhabited by significant Swahili speaking populations, Swahili is the national language in both countries. Kenya and the DRC share some cultural similarities.

DR Congo has an embassy in Nairobi. Kenya has an embassy in Kinshasa.11 June 1965 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 11 June 1965 when first Ambassador of Rwanda to Kenya (resident in Kampala) Mr. Malahie Musabyimana presented his credentials to President Kenyatta. Kenya is a partner of Rwanda in many areas, particularly trade, security (military), education, agriculture and energy.

It is estimated that there are about 100,000 Rwandese immigrants in Kenya.

Both countries have on multiple occasions signed various memoranda of understanding. These MOUs involve co-operative technical assistance and development between the two countries.Rwanda and Kenya to strengthen cooperation . Retrieved 20 January 2015.

Kenya has a significant expat community in Rwanda. Kenya has a high commission in Kigali. Rwanda has a high commission in Nairobi. South Sudan is a strategic partner of Kenya in many areas. Both countries have cultural similarities as many people from South Sudan lived in Kenya before independence.

Kenya is said to have contributed a to South Sudan's independence. The Machakos Protocol signed in Kenya in 2002 saw a ceasefire signed between Sudan and the Southern Sudanese. It was the first of many agreements that led to the creation of Southern Sudan autonomous region which later on led to the independence of South Sudan in 2011. During the independence movement leaders of the freedom movement lived in Kenya. At the peak of the second Sudanese civil war Kenya hosted about 100,000 South Sudanese people.http://studies.aljazeera.net/ResourceGallery/media/Documents/2012/3/29/201232915413854734South%20Sudan%20and%20Kenya.pdf . South Sudan and Kenya: The Relationships Retrieved on 5 January 2015. Kenya has an embassy in Juba. South Sudan has an embassy in Nairobi.13 December 1983 Both countries established full diplomatic relations on 13 December 1983 Tanzania is a partner of Kenya in many areas, particularly trade, security (military), education, agriculture and energy.

The first high commissions of Kenya in Tanzania and vice versa were opened after the independence of Kenya. However, after the breakup of the EAC in 1977, both countries severed diplomatic ties. The breakup of the first EAC which was founded in 1967 was brought about by ideological differences between Tanzania and Kenya. As it was during the cold war African countries were making decisions on whether to become socialist or capitalist. Kenya's leader Kenyatta was intent on making sure that Kenya wouldn't become socialist and Kenya stuck to capitalism. Tanzania on the other hand championed for Ujamaa, a major African socialist policy.Fred Oluoch Lest we forget: What killed the first EAC marriage The EastAfrican 2 November 2013. Retrieved 20 January 2015.

Tanzania and Kenya resumed diplomatic ties in 1983.Kenya Tanzania Relations. Retrieved 20 January 2015. By that time, a lot of factors were slowing the idea of Ujamaa in Tanzania among them the war with Uganda and many other social factors.

Today both countries enjoy healthy relations. Both countries are inhabited by the world's largest Swahili speaking populations, Swahili is the official and national language in both countries. Kenya and Tanzania share a lot of cultural similarities. Kenya has a high commission in Dar-es-Salaam. Tanzania has a high commission in Nairobi and a consulate-general in Mombasa.8 February 1978 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 8 February 1978

The two East African Community countries are partners in many areas, particularly in the trade, infrastructure, security (military), education, agriculture and energy sectors.

From 1961 to 1965, the two states along with Tanzania were united in the East African Common Services Organisation, a common market with a loose federal structure.East Africa Living Encyclopedia: Kenya - Foreign Relations Kenya and Uganda were also founding members of the original East African Community (EAC), which later collapsed due to ideological differences and territorial disputes within itself.

On 7 July 2000, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania reestablished the EAC. It has contributed a great deal in improving trade and overall relations between Kenya and Uganda.

The countries are both inhabited by significant Swahili-speaking populations, and share significant cultural similarities. Kenya has a high commission in Kampala. Uganda has a high commission in Nairobi.

Rest of Africa Country Formal relations established Notes23 June 1964 22 July 1985Both countries established diplomatic relations on 22 July 1985 when Kenya's Ambassador to Angola Mr. John Kaumau Kimani presented his credentials.

Angola has an embassy in Nairobi. Kenya has an embassy in Luanda.30 October 1967 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 October 1967.

Botswana has a high commission in Nairobi. Kenya has a high commission in Gaborone.13 March 1984 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 13 March 1984.

Djibouti has an embassy in Nairobi. Kenya has an embassy in Djibouti City. Egypt has an embassy in Nairobi. Kenya has an embassy in Cairo.26 June 1964 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 26 June 1964 and opened Ethiopian Embassy in Nairobi.

Relations between Kenya and Ethiopia date back to 1954, when the Ethiopian authorities under Haile Selassie I established an honorary consulate general in the British Kenya Colony. In 1961, prior to Kenya's independence, Ethiopia appointed its first ambassador to Kenya, and six years later Kenya opened an embassy in Addis Ababa."Ethiopia – Kenya relations" , Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (accessed 9 October 2009)

The border between the two countries is based on a treaty signed by Ethiopia and Kenya on 9 June 1970, which determines the present-day boundary, abrogating all previous boundary treaties. This border has been subjected to demarcation."Ethiopia – Kenya Boundary" , U.S. State Department International Boundary Study, No. 152 – 15 October 1975 Ethiopia has an embassy in Nairobi. Kenya has an embassy in Addis Ababa.16 December 1963 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 16 December 1963

Ghana has a high commission in Nairobi. Kenya has a high commission in Accra.5 November 1976Both countries established diplomatic relations on 5 November 1976 when Ambassador of Kenya Hon. Kiyinda Nincola, has presented his credentials to President of Mozambique Samora Moises Machel.

Kenya has a high commission in Maputo. Mozambique has a high commission in Nairobi.22 March 1990 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 22 March 1990 when was officially opened the Kenya High Commission in Windhoek.

Kenya has a high commission in Windhoek. Namibia is accredited to Kenya from its high commission in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. Kenya has a high commission in Abuja. Nigeria has a high commission in Nairobi. Relations between Kenya and Somalia have historically been tense. Agitations over self-determination in the Somali-inhabited Northern Frontier District culminated in the Shifta War during the 1960s.Rhoda E. Howard, Human Rights in Commonwealth Africa, (Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.: 1986), p. 95 Although the conflict ended in a cease-fire, Somalis in the region still identify and maintain close ties with their kin in Somalia.Godfrey Mwakikagile, Kenya: identity of a nation, (Godfrey Mwakikagile: 2007), p. 79.

In October 2011, a coordinated operation between the Somali military and the Kenyan military began against the Al-Shabaab group of insurgents in southern Somalia.Joint Communique – Operation Linda Nchi The mission was officially led by the Somali army, with the Kenyan forces providing a support role. In early June 2012, Kenyan troops were formally integrated into AMISOM. Kenya is accredited to Somalia from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs based in Nairobi. Somalia has an embassy in Nairobi.12 April 1994 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 12 April 1994

Kenya has a high commission in Pretoria. South Africa has a high commission in Nairobi.28 January 1965 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 28 January 1965 when was accredited first ambassador of Sudan to Kenya Sayed Mohammed Mirghani

Kenya has an embassy in Khartoum. Sudan has an embassy in Nairobi. Kenya has a high commission in Lusaka. Zambia has a high commission in Nairobi. Kenya has an embassy in Harare. Zimbabwe has an embassy in Nairobi.

Americas Country Formal relations established Notes3 September 2014 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 September 2014