President William Ruto today Monday paid tribute to Belgium’s outgoing ambassador, Peter Maddens, saying the relationship between Kenya and Belgium has grown stronger during his nearly five-year diplomatic mission.
Meeting the envoy at State House in Nairobi, the President pointed to expanding trade, investment and climate cooperation as key pillars of the partnership. He also linked the recent momentum in bilateral ties to his business visit to Brussels in June.
“Kenya and Belgium share strong bilateral and diplomatic relations anchored on trade and investment, renewable energy and climate action,” Ruto said after the meeting.
“These ties have been boosted by my recent business roundtable in Brussels in June 2026.”
The President said Belgium remains Kenya’s leading export market for coffee, adding that Belgian companies are increasingly looking to invest in the country’s agricultural sector.
“Belgium is the leading destination for Kenyan coffee. Consequently, many businesses in that country have expressed interest in Agri-business investment,” he said.
Ruto thanked Maddens for his service and wished him well in his next diplomatic posting.
Maddens arrived in Nairobi in September 2021 after presenting his credentials to then-President Uhuru Kenyatta. During his tenure, Kenya and Belgium expanded cooperation in trade, healthcare, environmental sustainability and investment.
One of the ambassador’s most visible initiatives was promoting climate-friendly diplomacy. Under his leadership, the Belgian ambassador’s residence in Nairobi was converted into a net-zero carbon facility powered by solar energy, reflecting Belgium’s support for cleaner energy solutions.
He also backed Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage agenda through partnerships focused on strengthening health systems, supporting local pharmaceutical manufacturing and improving healthcare infrastructure. Belgium further supported the introduction of modern clinical waste management technology in Kenyan health facilities to improve efficiency while reducing environmental impact.
On the economic front, Maddens played a significant role in advancing commercial relations between the two countries. In September 2025, he signed the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement with Kenya, an agreement designed to reduce tax barriers for businesses operating across both countries and encourage greater investment.
Beyond Kenya, Maddens also served as Belgium’s ambassador to Comoros, Eritrea, Madagascar, Seychelles and Somalia. He was also Belgium’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Offices in Nairobi.
His departure marks the close of a diplomatic mission that saw closer cooperation between Kenya and Belgium in trade, healthcare, renewable energy and sustainable development, with both governments signalling their intention to continue building on those ties.
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