Bilateral Relations

The bilateral relations between Austria and Kenya are friendly and without problems. Official ties between Kenya and Austria date back to the year 1908 when the Austria-Hungary established a Honorary Consulate in Mombasa, which however was forced to close due to the outbreak of the First World War in 1914.

Austria was among the first countries to recognise Kenya’s independence from the United Kingdom in 1963. In late 1964, the Austrian Council of Ministers decided to establish an Austrian Embassy in Nairobi, which became operational in April 1965. In 1971, the Austrian Honorary Consulate in Mombasa was re-opened.

Despite Kenya not being a priority country of the Austrian Development Cooperation, Austria nevertheless supports projects of various NGOs and in addition offers scholarships for Kenyan students to Austria.

Cultural ties are equally strong between the two countries with Austrian artists visiting Kenya on a regular basis.

There are about 130 Austrians living in Kenya. Every year approximately 1,500 Austrian tourists visit Kenya.