Following a meeting at Parliament Buildings on Thursday, Wetang’ula said Kenya is committed to strengthening ties with Azerbaijan through closer parliamentary exchanges and cooperation for the benefit of our two countries.
“I assured the ambassador that Kenya's parliamentary team would support the Speaker of Azerbaijan's National Assembly, Sahiba Gafarova, in her upcoming international engagements,” Wetang’ula said.
He added that their discussions underscored the importance of legislatures in complementing government-to-government relations and fostering closer people-to-people ties.
The Speaker noted that parliamentary exchanges remain an important avenue for sharing legislative best practices, strengthening democratic institutions and promoting mutual understanding between countries.
The meeting comes as Kenya and Azerbaijan continue to broaden cooperation beyond traditional diplomatic relations.
The two countries are increasingly engaging in trade, investment, climate diplomacy and multilateral affairs.
For instance, President William Ruto’s Affordable Housing flagship project came up during the discussions.
Wetang'ula said Amb Hajiyev briefed him on the programme's international showcase in Baku, where it attracted significant public interest.
"The Ambassador also shared the success of Kenya's Affordable Housing programme that was hosted in Baku, attracting more than 53,000 people," he said.
In May, Ruto addressed the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum, showcasing Kenya’s affordable housing programme as a continental model.
The exhibition formed part of efforts to showcase the housing model to international audiences and potential investors, while promoting collaboration in urban development and infrastructure.
Since 2016, Baku has been undertaking a housing programme titled ‘Strategic Roadmap for Development of Affordable Housing in the Republic of Azerbaijan’.
The initiative seeks to make affordable houses more available to Azerbaijani people, support economic development, raise living standards of the population, boost the economy, create new jobs and develop the mortgage market in the country.
Kenya and Azerbaijan have in recent years stepped up bilateral engagement, including high-level diplomatic exchanges and cooperation in multilateral organisations. The two countries are also seeking to expand partnerships in economic development, infrastructure, energy, education and tourism.
The latest meeting signals Nairobi's continued use of parliamentary diplomacy as a key pillar in advancing Kenya's foreign policy and strengthening partnerships with emerging international partners.
The growing engagement between Kenya and Azerbaijan also reflects Nairobi's broader push to diversify its foreign partnerships beyond its traditional allies in Europe and North America.
It is also opening new economic and diplomatic frontiers in Central Asia and the Caucasus.
Relations between the two countries have gained momentum over the past three years, driven by increased high-level exchanges, climate diplomacy and expanding cooperation in trade, investment and parliamentary affairs.
Azerbaijan established its embassy in Nairobi in 2023, signalling the strategic importance it attaches to Kenya as its gateway to East Africa.
Nairobi hosts the headquarters of the UN Environment Programme and UN-Habitat, making it a key diplomatic hub for Africa.
Azerbaijan presents Kenya with opportunities to tap into its rapidly developing economy with expertise in energy, infrastructure, transport and urban development. The two countries have also identified agriculture, tourism, ICT and education as areas with strong potential for collaboration.
Climate diplomacy has further strengthened the relationship, with both countries advocating for greater climate financing for developing nations at COP29 hosted in Baku in 2024.
Azerbaijan has also expressed support for Kenya's efforts to position itself as a global centre for environmental diplomacy through Unep.
