The country’s imports from Russia fell to Sh33.33 billion in 2025, down from Sh79.09 billion in 2024, representing a reduction of Sh45.76 billion.

Kenya’s trade deficit with Russia narrowed by Sh26.6 billion in 2025, following a sharp decline in imports and an increase in exports, according to data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS).

Over the same period, Kenya’s exports to Russia increased slightly to Sh6.73 billion from Sh6.5 billion, helping narrow the trade gap between the two countries.

The trade deficit stood at Sh26.6 billion in 2025, compared with Sh72.59 billion in 2024, reflecting a significant reduction in the value of goods Kenya purchased from Russia relative to its exports.

The latest figures mark a reversal of the trend recorded in 2023 and 2024, when imports surged while exports remained comparatively low.

In 2023, Kenya imported goods worth Sh82.74 billion from Russia, the highest value recorded in the five-year period, while exports stood at Sh4.77 billion.

Imports declined marginally to Sh79.09 billion in 2024, but exports rose to Sh6.5 billion, leaving Kenya with a trade deficit of Sh72.59 billion.

In 2022, imports amounted to Sh36.84 billion against exports of Sh7.64 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of Sh29.2 billion.

The trade gap was wider in 2021, when Kenya imported goods worth Sh37.66 billion and exported goods valued at Sh10.47 billion, leaving a deficit of Sh27.19 billion.

The figures show that Kenya has consistently imported more from Russia than it has exported over the five years, with the size of the trade deficit fluctuating considerably.

Although the 2025 deficit narrowed substantially, exports remained far below imports, highlighting the persistent imbalance in trade between the two countries.