As Kenyans celebrated Jamhuri Day across the country and the world, the Kenya High Commission in Mozambique hosted its first-ever Independence Day reception for the international community in Maputo since the mission was opened four years ago.
The event marked a milestone in Kenya’s diplomatic engagement in southern Africa, drawing diplomats, government officials, members of the Kenyan diaspora and representatives from the private sector.
The High Commission noted that the reception was not merely ceremonial but strategically aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and positioning Kenya as an attractive destination for trade, tourism and cultural exchange.
Speaking during the celebrations, Kenya’s High Commissioner in Mozambique, Philip Mundia, highlighted the role of historical migration and people-to-people ties in shaping the relationship between the two countries.
“Numerous cultural interactions took place before the establishment of formal relations. For example, the migration of the Makonde ethnic group from Mozambique to Kenya in the 1930s. The Makonde now constitute part of the Kenyan citizenry and were officially recognised as the 43rd tribe of Kenya in 2017,” Mundia said.
The Kenyan diaspora in Mozambique was also singled out as a critical pillar of bilateral relations.
According to official estimates, about 2,000 Kenyans live and work in Mozambique, mainly in the private sector, including small-scale trade, hospitality, financial services, agribusiness, education and engineering.
“Our diaspora occupies a crucial space within our national framework. Their contribution to Kenya’s development and their role as informal ambassadors of our country cannot be overstated,” the diplomat added.
Kenya and Mozambique formally established diplomatic relations in 1975, but their historical links date back centuries to pre-colonial interactions along the Indian Ocean coast during early maritime trade and exploration.
Both countries also share cultural influences shaped by the Portuguese presence along their coastal regions.
The Maputo reception now comes against the backdrop of renewed attention on the welfare and legal status of Kenyans living in Mozambique, following recent government advisories on immigration compliance.
The Kenyan consulate in Maputo had, in October, warned its citizens travelling to Mozambique to avoid overstaying the 90-day visa-free period, citing a surge in deportations linked to immigration violations.
In 2018, Mozambique and Kenya signed a bilateral visa exemption agreement to ease travel for holders of ordinary passports and strengthen regional ties.
The deal allows Kenyans to enter Mozambique without a visa for short visits not exceeding 90 days.
However, enforcement of immigration rules remains strict, and overstays are treated as legal violations under Mozambican law.