By OPCS Press Service
26th November 2024, Nairobi
The Prime Cabinet Secretary has said that for six decades, Kenya has been at the forefront of diplomacy, advocating for mutual respect, dialogue, and unity on the global stage to benefit Kenyan citizens as it undertakes its role as a global citizen.
Speaking during the press briefing on 60 years of Kenya’s diplomatic journey, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters, Mudavadi noted that, over the years, the country has risen from a humble beginning—with just four embassies in 1963—to 68 missions spread across the world, championing the country’s interests.
“In its growth over the years, Kenya has emerged as a serious player in peace, participating in 43 peacekeeping and peace support missions, including to Yugoslavia, Cambodia, Iran, East Timor, Western Sahara, Sierra Leone, Liberia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, South Sudan, and Haiti. This demonstrates our commitment to regional and global stability,” said Mudavadi.
He explained that these missions comprise 29 in Africa, 16 in Asia/Middle East, 14 in Europe, five in the Americas, and one in Oceania. “This diplomatic footprint also includes our offices in the United Nations capitals of Nairobi, New York, Geneva, and Paris,” said the Prime Cabinet Secretary, who is also the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs.
Mudavadi said that Kenya looks ahead with confidence to the next 60 years of its diplomatic journey, anchored on the country’s new foreign policy, which has been subjected to extensive stakeholder engagement in the past few weeks.
He noted that, as one of the founding members of the Organisation of African Unity, now the African Union, Kenya continues to champion African unity, economic integration, and peace.
Mudavadi highlighted Kenya’s achievements, including being the only country in the Global South to host a United Nations office and being elected to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in 2021 for a third term—justifying its capacity to shape global governance and advance Africa’s voice in multilateral diplomacy. “We do not take this for granted,” he added.
He also emphasised Kenya’s pivotal role as the global environment capital since 1972, when it hosted the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) global headquarters.
“Today, Nairobi is home to one of the largest UN duty stations, hosting approximately 20,000 staff operating under the umbrella of the United Nations Office in Nairobi. This population of UN staff is set to increase in 2025 as many staff relocate to Nairobi as part of the UN’s greater reform plans,” said Mudavadi.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary noted that the UN had significantly invested in the country. “As a nation, we will soon have a venue that can host a United Nations General Assembly—a transformative milestone for Kenya.”
“You will recall that Kenya hosted historic events such as the Third World Conference on Women (1985), the United Nations Environment Assembly (2021), and the inaugural Africa Climate Summit (2023). These and many others have solidified the country’s position as a global hub for diplomacy, international trade, and investment,” he said.
He announced that this December, the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs will mark the 60th anniversary of Kenya’s diplomatic journey. “This will be a commemoration of Kenya’s enduring legacy in peacekeeping, regional leadership, and global diplomacy over these six decades. The celebrations will run from 27 November to 7 December 2024 and will feature a series of activities,” he said.
Outlining the events, he stated that the Ministry will hold its inaugural Open Day on 29 November 2024 at the Ministry Headquarters Car Park, inviting members of the public to learn more about the services offered.
Various conferences on diplomacy and foreign policy are planned for the following week, with President William Ruto, the “Diplomat Number One,” presiding over these events.
“There will also be exhibitions open to the public where various partners and organisations will showcase the services they have rendered to the country over the past 60 years. These exhibitions will be a great learning opportunity for those of us who believe that Kenya is not an island. I am sure there will be plenty of knowledge-sharing and excitement,” Mudavadi said.
Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei of the State Department for Foreign Affairs noted that the public events would offer an opportunity to understand the scope of diplomacy as practised by foreign service officers.
“They will also enable the public to appreciate the role citizens play in articulating the country’s foreign policy. Furthermore, these events will provide a great opportunity for interactions between citizens and the various practitioners of diplomacy,” said Sing’Oei.
