Kenyan President’s Upcoming Visit to Morocco: Recognition of Moroccan Sovereignty Over the Sahara, Diplomatic Messages, and Major Economic Projects

ALDAR / Exclusive

Sources have indicated that Kenyan President William Ruto is expected to make an official visit to Morocco after Ramadan, where he is likely to be received by King Mohammed VI.

This visit comes after a year of attempts by Ruto to make it happen, particularly given that during his election campaign, he was one of the strongest supporters of Morocco’s position on the Western Sahara issue.

His anticipated visit was initially set to include the inauguration of Kenya’s new embassy in Rabat, following his prior appointment of an ambassador to Morocco.

However, the significance of the visit extends beyond diplomacy, as it is also expected to mark the official launch of one of the largest economic projects between the two countries—the Moroccan OCP Group’s project in Kenya. This initiative aims to bolster food security in the East African nation amid growing demographic challenges.

Despite the project’s strategic importance, its implementation has faced delays, as has the opening of the Kenyan embassy in Rabat. This has raised questions about potential diplomatic factors behind these postponements.

The primary reason is likely tied to President Ruto’s shifting stance on the Western Sahara issue. During his presidential campaign, he pledged to reconsider Kenya’s recognition of the so-called “Sahrawi Republic.” Upon taking office, he promptly announced the withdrawal of this recognition, only to backtrack the very next day under internal and external pressures.

If Ruto’s visit to Morocco is officially confirmed, it may signal Nairobi’s readiness to finalize its stance in favor of Morocco, potentially restoring Moroccan-Kenyan relations to their normal course.

These developments reflect Morocco’s approach to cooperation with African nations, in line with King Mohammed VI’s vision of strategic partnerships based on a “win-win” principle—blending economic interests with political rapprochement to foster stability and development across the continent.