Burundi–Kenya relations are bilateral relations between Burundi and Kenya. 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.
Additionally, Burundi joined the EAC Customs Union on 6 July 2009. It has since then has been a strategic partner in terms of customs and trade integration.
Under current and previous programmes the Kenyan government has on multiple occasions helped build the capacity of Burundi government officials in major state and transport organs. These include:
Students have undergone training in Kenya at the expense of Kenya Port Authority.[1]
OBR staffs had been trained by the Kenya Revenue Authority.
Burundi Defence Force have undergone training at the Kenya Military Institute.
Staffs of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (Burundi) have been trained in Kenya at the Institute of Diplomacy.
Both countries have also signed the following BTAs and MoUs:[1]
Agreement on Promotion and Protection of Investments signed in February 2009
Agreement on Bilateral Air services (BASA)
MoU on Defence matters
MoU on Cooperation in Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries done in November 2011
MoU on High Education, Science and Technology
MoU to modernise the Bujumbura Port by the Mombasa Port
Additionally, EAC countries are working on building a standard gauge railway link that would go through Mombasa-Nairobi-Kampala-Kigali. The line could be extended to Bujumbura in the future. Works began on the Kenyan section of the rail line in December 2014.
