The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) says there are many significant law enforcement benefits to the transfer of sentenced persons. If there is no prisoner transfer programme, the vast majority of foreign nationals in custody in a sentencing State will eventually be repatriated by means of deportation, and the receiving countries have no control over the timing and mode of the convicted person\u2019s arrival in their country or over what the person will do, and have no information regarding the offence committed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Further, by being transferred, a prisoner has the opportunity to re-establish and strengthen his or her ties to the administering State, which reduces the chance that he or she will return to the sentencing State and reoffend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The administering State benefits by receiving detailed information about the offence of which the prisoner was convicted, the prisoner\u2019s prior record (if any) in the sentencing State and the prisoner\u2019s adjustment to life in prison.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This sort of detailed information is not available when a prisoner is deported at the end of his or her sentence. This may be particularly important, for example, in the case of a sex offender who may need to be placed on a register of sex offenders in the administering State after his or her release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Additionally, the administering State is given the opportunity of using its criminal justice system to exercise some control over the prisoner prior to and following release into the community. The administering State can assist the prisoner in reintegrating into society, using the tools available through its criminal justice system, thus indirectly benefiting crime prevention and law enforcement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The transfer of sentenced persons is seen to be an important means of cooperation to prevent and combat crime, which is the purpose of the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988, the United Nations Convention against Corruption, and the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To further enhance security cooperation, Kenya\u2019s Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga held a consultative meeting with the Italian Ambassador to Kenya, Del Monaco, to strengthen interagency and bilateral collaboration in the criminal justice sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) posted on its official X handle that the meeting focused on enhancing cooperation between Kenya and Italy through Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) in criminal matters, and deepening institutional partnerships to support effective information sharing and coordinated action between the two countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCriminal networks increasingly operate across borders, making international cooperation essential for effective investigations and prosecutions. Strengthening mutual legal assistance frameworks and institutional partnerships will significantly enhance our capacity to tackle transnational crimes,\u201d said Mr Ingonga.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ambassador Del Monaco reaffirmed Italy\u2019s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Kenya in the justice sector reforms and prosecutorial collaboration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cItaly values its strong partnership with Kenya and remains committed to supporting collaborative efforts that enhance justice systems and promote the rule of law. Cooperation in areas such as organised crime, human trafficking, and financial crimes benefits both our countries and the wider region,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The development underscored Kenya and Italy\u2019s cooperation to strengthen prosecutorial cooperation and enhance international collaboration in tackling crimes that transcend national borders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kenya and Italy also signed two agreements, two MoUs and a joint declaration to provide a framework for the advancement of bilateral cooperation in different fields.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the official website of the Office of the President of Kenya, on March 14, 2023, the two countries signed an MoU to cooperate in the field of Health, towards the realisation of Universal Health Coverage and improved pharmaceutical production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n President Mattarella and President Ruto also signed an MoU on bilateral consultations to establish guidelines for the conduct of political consultations at the respective Ministries of Foreign Affairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They further committed to re-establish cooperation on the construction of Arror, Kimwarer and Itare dams and other water and sanitation projects, critical to food security and climate action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Government of Italy committed to advance KSh14 billion (100 million euros) in grants and soft loans covering projects in agriculture, development of MSMEs, housing and urban settlement, health, the digital super highway and creative economy through the Kenya-Italy Multi-Annual Five-Year Cooperation Strategy on sustainable development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe further agreed to cooperate in enhancing our informal settlement redevelopment program, which our two countries recently launched, to facilitate security of land tenure in informal settlements in Kilifi, Siaya and Ngong municipalities. Further, this is an opportunity to appreciate Italy for the Debt for Development Programme, which has provided tremendous support in the water, health, education and urban development sectors,\u201d President Ruto said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The two countries agreed to remove non-tariff barriers and promote greater trade and increased investment, including negotiating the avoidance of a double-taxation agreement, to enhance higher levels of foreign direct investments in various sectors by Italian companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe also exchanged views and shared ideas about emerging opportunities to improve the balance of trade between our nations, including cooperation in agro-industrial, ICT, and biofuel projects, among others. Kenya is highly encouraged by the great interest shown by Italian investors in the Konza Technopolis, where a number have already set up businesses. With this visit, we are confident that even more investors will take up the myriad opportunities in the project,\u201d President Ruto said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kenya and Italy considered the initiation of bilateral cooperation in vital sectors such as the arts, culture, science, and technology. Already, the country hosts the Luigi Broglio Space Centre in Malindi, which is funded by the Italian government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the Ministry of Defence, the facility is operated jointly by the Kenya Space Agency (KSA) and the Italian Space Agency (ASI).<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe agreed that our bilateral cooperation should enhance the mutual benefit of the centre\u2019s outputs in scientific and technological research, for sustainable development in Kenya,\u201d President Ruto said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n President Mattarella’s visit to the Luigi Broglio Space Centre affirmed Rome and Nairobi’s cooperation in technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On February 9, 2026,President William Ruto witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Higher Education, Training and Research between Kenya and Italy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The MoU was signed at State House, Nairobi, by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba and Italy\u2019s Minister for Universities and Research Anna Maria Bernini.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the official website of the Office of the President of the Republic of Kenya, the initiatives support the exchange of researchers, faculty members and students, the implementation of joint research projects, and the shared use of scientific and technological infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n President Ruto commended the cooperation between Kenya and Italy, especially in the fields of education, scientific research and technology, saying the MoU will facilitate greater knowledge sharing, particularly in artificial intelligence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe will not be left behind this time in matters of artificial intelligence. We will participate as co-creators of technology, governance, use and benefits of artificial intelligence,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n President Ruto said the MoU will support the equipping of 70 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions with modern equipment to help learners access new technologies, knowledge, and competencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He explained that the agreement will facilitate the expansion of relations between Kenyan and Italian universities, including facilitating exchange programmes for students and teaching staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ms Bernini said Italy is committed to the actualisation of the MoU, including implementing the mobility of students, researchers, and university teaching staff, as well as supporting the development of technology and research infrastructure to enhance human capital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, Kenya and Italyadopted a comprehensive Action Plan for the period 2026\u20132029 aimed at strengthening bilateral relations across key areas that include trade, education, security, technology and sustainable development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The agreements were reached between the Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Ruto during an official visit to Rome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The plan builds on the Mattei Plan for Africa, which positions Kenya as a key partner in Italy\u2019s broader engagement with the African continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The two countries committed to enhancing political dialogue through regular high-level engagements and strengthening cooperation in multilateral forums, including the United Nations, to address global challenges such as climate change, migration, and sustainable development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the economic sector, Kenya and Italy pledged to boost trade and investment flows by supporting private sector partnerships and expanding opportunities in strategic sectors such as infrastructure, renewable energy, manufacturing, and agriculture, with a focus on developing Kenya\u2019s leather industry into a globally competitive sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey welcomed the organisation of a bilateral Business Forum on the margins of the official visit of President Ruto to Italy, instrumental in enhancing cooperation in strategic sectors such as infrastructure, sustainable energy, agri-business, and manufacturing, with a particular focus on developing the leather production sector into a modern, sustainable, and globally competitive industry by improving quality, environmental standards and market access,\u201d read a statement from Kenya\u2019s Presidential Service Unit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The leaders emphasised the need to promote tourism to drive cultural exchange, economic prosperity, and community empowerment through sustainable and inclusive tourism practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBoth leaders agreed on the importance of promoting capacity-building initiatives, including in foreign service, customs and trade facilitation, building upon the public administration training initiatives developed by the Italian National School of Administration in the context of the Mattei Plan for Africa,\u201d the statement noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to Kenya\u2019s Presidential Service Unit in the area of sustainable development, Kenya and Italy reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening food security and sustainable high-value supply chains and climate resilience, with a particular focus on the coffee and blue economy sectors and in other areas of cooperation, such as urban development through the implementation of circular bio-economy systems and integrated sustainable waste management interventions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Italian Prime Minister Meloni and President Ruto agreed on strengthening the bilateral cooperation in the development of physical and digital infrastructure, including transport and telecommunications, and to promote joint initiatives in sustainable energy production and access, with particular attention to renewable sources and energy transition, as well as cooperation on water management and environmental protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The two leaders agreed to promote further collaboration in science, technology and innovation, including through joint research initiatives, to strengthen the bilateral cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence, in particular within the framework of the Mattei Plan AI Hub for Sustainable Development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kenya and Italy reaffirmed the importance of enhancing cooperation in the space sector, including capacity-building and the development of the space economy, by leveraging the \u201cLuigi Broglio\u201d Malindi Space Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In April 2026, during President Ruto\u2019s official visit to Italy, he held talks with President Mattarella, Prime Minister Meloni, the Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani, and the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Lorenzo Fontana.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kenya and Italy signed strategic agreements in the fields of justice, defence, and cooperation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A three-year Action Plan was also adopted under the Mattei Plan for Africa, and the Italy\u2013Kenya Business Forum was held, with the participation of over 200 companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to The Standard, the State House confirmed that Ruto\u2019s visit aimed at unlocking infrastructure funding and sealing new investment deals with Italy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The agreement, covering the period 2026 to 2029 and anchored in Italy’s Mattei Plan for Africa, positions Kenya as a flagship partner in Rome’s bid to reframe its economic and diplomatic engagement with the African continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n President Mattarella and President Ruto agreed to promote bilateral trade and investment flows, facilitate partnerships between Italian and Kenyan businesses in third markets and convene a bilateral Business Forum on the sidelines of Ruto’s visit to drive cooperation in infrastructure, sustainable energy, agri-business and manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A notable focus of the plan is Kenya’s leather sector, which both governments said they want to develop into a globally competitive industry through improvements in quality, environmental standards and market access. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It is yet to be seen how these agreements will turn out in the future, but one thing is for sure: Kenya and Italy plan to do business in several areas, and both will be hoping to benefit greatly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The four-year Action Plan between Nairobi and Rome signals a major shift from the traditional one-way aid towards a partnership. The deal positions Kenya as the geopolitical gateway to East Africa and a partner in whatever Italy has in store for Kenya and Africa at large.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kenya hopes that these partnerships will help to fast-track stalled projects, offer job opportunities to locals, and also empower the future generations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As for Italy, it will be a great way to find a true anchor in the African continent that is reliable, and both can form a great alliance.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Kenya and Italy have established long-standing diplomatic relations in political, economic, social, defence and security cooperation. The two countries’ bilateral partnership, which started in 1964, was further cemented during President Sergio Mattarella\u2019s visit to Kenya in 2023, and the arrival of the ambassador, Vincenzo Del Monaco, which saw an important Memorandum of Understanding on justice […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":125,"featured_media":7958,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"saved_in_kubio":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[19,30,25,28],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7910","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-economy","category-governance","category-security","category-society"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/openafricantribune.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7910","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/openafricantribune.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/openafricantribune.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/openafricantribune.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/125"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/openafricantribune.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7910"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/openafricantribune.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7910\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8017,"href":"https:\/\/openafricantribune.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7910\/revisions\/8017"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/openafricantribune.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7958"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/openafricantribune.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7910"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/openafricantribune.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7910"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/openafricantribune.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7910"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"\"](\"https:\/\/openafricantribune.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/rgthnyu-1024x682.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Kenya, Italy MOUs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n