Bilateral relations between Türkiye and Kenya have developed since Kenya gained its independence in 1963 and the Turkish Embassy in Nairobi was opened in 1968. The former President of the Republic of Kenya H.E Mr. Daniel Arap Moi visited Türkiye in 1996 to attend the 2nd UN HABITAT Conference, and the former President H.E. Abdullah Gül visited Kenya in 2009 which constituted the first bilateral Presidential visit between Türkiye and Kenya.

Turkish Airlines started to operate commercial flights to Kenya as of 2009, operating a direct flight between Istanbul and Nairobi. Mombasa was added as a supplemental point.

Kenya opened its Embassy in Ankara in 2012. H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, the President of the Republic of Kenya, visited Türkiye in 2014. Several Agreements and MoU’s in the fields of security, trade, financial and technical cooperation, energy and mining were signed during the visit.

Bilateral trade volume, which was 234 million USD in 2019, reached 251 million USD in 2020.

Türkiye has been recognized as a leading emerging development partner in Kenya. The Turkish International Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) has developed various projects particularly in the fields of health, food, agriculture, livestock and education. Kenyan experts participate in capacity-development programs in the areas of security, agriculture, education and health, conducted by various Turkish Ministries and agencies. Various Turkish NGOs also provide health and emergency aid in required areas.

Türkiye provides undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate scholarships every year to Kenyan students. Since 1992, 310 scholarships have been provided to Kenyan students.