Canada–Kenya relations
Encyclopedia
Canada-Kenya relations are foreign relations between Canada
and Kenya
. Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1965. Canada has a high commission in Nairobi
. The High Commission of Kenya in Ottawa
is located in the Sandy Hill
neighbourhood in the capital.
Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations
.
The Canadian government announced in February 2009 that it was dropping Kenya from its list of preferred countries to receive foreign aid. This list includes 18 countries and the West Bank
and Caribbean
.
recalled the high commissioner to Canada. Two weeks earlier Somali Canadians had held a protest outside the Kenyan High Commission in Ottawa over a new law requiring the registration of all ethnic Somalis in Kenya. Moi accused the Canadian government of approving the protest, and demanded an apology. Protests arranged by Moi's Kenya African National Union
took place outisde the Canadian High Commission and in other cities. In Mombasa
an effigy of then High Commissioner Raynell Andreychuk
was imprisoned in a street side stall.
In 2008 Canada pledged one million dollars worth of aid to Kenya after the disputed presidential election of President Mwai Kibaki
. Canada posted a travel advisory to any of its citizens cautioning them about situation in Kenya. however a few months later Canada lifted the advisory and stated that the two were back to "business as usual".
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
. Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1965. Canada has a high commission in Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
. The High Commission of Kenya in Ottawa
High Commission of Kenya in Ottawa
The High Commission of Kenya in Ottawa is Kenya's primary diplomatic mission in Canada. It is located at 415 Laurier Avenue East in Ottawa, the Canadian capital...
is located in the Sandy Hill
Sandy Hill
Sandy Hill is a bilingual neighbourhood in Ottawa, Ontario located just east of downtown. The neighbourhood is bordered on the west by the Rideau Canal and on the east by the Rideau River. To the north it stretches to Rideau Street and the Byward Market area while to the south it is bordered by...
neighbourhood in the capital.
Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
.
The Canadian government announced in February 2009 that it was dropping Kenya from its list of preferred countries to receive foreign aid. This list includes 18 countries and the West Bank
West Bank
The West Bank ) of the Jordan River is the landlocked geographical eastern part of the Palestinian territories located in Western Asia. To the west, north, and south, the West Bank shares borders with the state of Israel. To the east, across the Jordan River, lies the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan...
and Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
.
Political
Controversy developed in 1989 when Kenyan leader Daniel arap MoiDaniel arap Moi
Daniel Toroitich arap Moi was the President of Kenya from 1978 until 2002.Daniel arap Moi is popularly known to Kenyans as 'Nyayo', a Swahili word for 'footsteps'...
recalled the high commissioner to Canada. Two weeks earlier Somali Canadians had held a protest outside the Kenyan High Commission in Ottawa over a new law requiring the registration of all ethnic Somalis in Kenya. Moi accused the Canadian government of approving the protest, and demanded an apology. Protests arranged by Moi's Kenya African National Union
Kenya African National Union
The Kenya African National Union, better known as KANU is a political party which ruled Kenya for nearly 40 years after its independence from British colonial rule in 1963, until its electoral loss at the end of 2002...
took place outisde the Canadian High Commission and in other cities. In Mombasa
Mombasa
Mombasa is the second-largest city in Kenya. Lying next to the Indian Ocean, it has a major port and an international airport. The city also serves as the centre of the coastal tourism industry....
an effigy of then High Commissioner Raynell Andreychuk
Raynell Andreychuk
Anita Raynell Andreychuk is a Canadian Senator, lawyer, and former judge and diplomat.-Career:A native of Saskatoon, Andreychuk graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a BA in 1966 and a law degree in 1967 after which she began her legal practice in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan...
was imprisoned in a street side stall.
In 2008 Canada pledged one million dollars worth of aid to Kenya after the disputed presidential election of President Mwai Kibaki
Mwai Kibaki
Mwai Kibaki is the current and third President of the republic of Kenya.Kibaki was previously Vice President of Kenya for ten years from 1978–1988 and also held cabinet ministerial positions, including a widely acclaimed stint as Minister for Finance , Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for...
. Canada posted a travel advisory to any of its citizens cautioning them about situation in Kenya. however a few months later Canada lifted the advisory and stated that the two were back to "business as usual".
See also
- High Commission of Kenya in OttawaHigh Commission of Kenya in OttawaThe High Commission of Kenya in Ottawa is Kenya's primary diplomatic mission in Canada. It is located at 415 Laurier Avenue East in Ottawa, the Canadian capital...
- Foreign relations of CanadaForeign relations of CanadaThe foreign relations of Canada are Canada's relations with other governments and peoples. Canada's most important relationship, being the largest trading relationship in the world, is with the United States...
- Foreign relations of KenyaForeign relations of KenyaKenya maintains a neutral profile in global politics. It has excellent relations with China, India, Russia and Brazil. Its relations with Western countries are generally friendly, although current political and economic instabilities are often blamed on Western activities Kenya maintains a neutral...