Africa-Press – Kenya. Kenya is seeking to strengthen cooperation with Egypt to adopt advanced irrigation technologies as part of efforts to increase agricultural productivity and enhance food security, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has said.
Wetang’ula noted that the country is keen to learn from Egypt’s large-scale and efficient irrigation systems, emphasising that modern water management will be critical in addressing the impact of climate variability and improving food production.
“Egypt is well known for its advanced irrigation systems that support large-scale agricultural production. Kenya is ready to benchmark, adopt, and apply these techniques to enhance agricultural output and achieve food security,” he said.
The Speaker made the remarks on Wednesday when he hosted the Egyptian ambassador to Kenya, Hatem Yousri Hosni, at Parliament Buildings.
Wetang’ula added that Kenya also intends to strengthen parliamentary diplomacy through a robust Kenya–Egypt Parliamentary Friendship Group, which will help deepen cooperation and foster closer relations between the two countries.
He noted that Kenya and Egypt share similarities in the operations of their bicameral parliamentary systems, presenting an opportunity to enhance legislative collaboration and exchange best practices.
The Speaker described the Kenya–Egypt partnership as broad and strategic, covering key sectors including agriculture, energy, trade, security, economic cooperation, diplomacy, and socio-cultural exchange.
He added that collaboration in irrigation could support the improvement of major schemes such as the Ahero Irrigation Project and contribute to the protection and sustainable management of critical water catchment areas.
“We have had a long-standing relationship with Egypt, including cooperation that has supported the protection of the Lake Basin water catchment area,” Wetang’ula said.
He further observed that Egypt’s membership in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) positions it as an important economic partner with a significant role in regional industrial and trade development.
“We are ready to engage our parliamentary counterparts in Egypt and agree on practical ways of strengthening our working relationship,” he added.
Ambassador Hosni welcomed the move to deepen bilateral ties, saying Egypt is ready to share its experience in modern irrigation while also learning from Kenya’s strengths in other sectors.
“We are ready to collaborate and discuss how Egypt’s best irrigation systems can be implemented in Kenya,” he said.
The envoy noted that ministers responsible for agriculture and water resources from the two countries could negotiate and sign a Memorandum of Understanding to guide cooperation in irrigation development and water management.
He also emphasised the role of parliaments in supporting such partnerships through the enactment of enabling legislation.
Hosni said irrigation has been a key driver of Egypt’s agricultural success, significantly increasing food production over the years.
“Irrigation is a game-changer for food security. Through modern irrigation practices, Egypt has been able to expand food production, and through cooperation, similar gains can be realised in Kenya,” he said.
He added that the strong presence of Kenyan students and professionals in Egypt further provides a foundation for expanding people-to-people and institutional ties between the two countries.
