Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei has denied backing UAE diplomat Lana Nusseibeh for UN Secretary-General, contradicting an earlier announcement by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi on the candidature.
PS Sing’oei said on Tuesday that Kenya had not expressed support for any candidate seeking to succeed outgoing UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
“Quite to the contrary, Kenya has not expressed support for any candidate at this point,” Sing’oei said in a statement posted on X.
He added that Nairobi was closely following the ongoing campaigns, including expressions of interest by new candidates, and was confident that a suitable candidate would receive the support of Kenya and the majority of UN member states.
His position follows an announcement by Mudavadi’s office on Monday evening, stating that he had welcomed Nusseibeh’s candidature on behalf of Kenya.
He cited her extensive experience in multilateral diplomacy and service within the UN system.
Mudavadi’s office said Kenya looked forward to working with the Emirati diplomat to strengthen cooperation between the UN and Africa.
The statement was widely interpreted as an endorsement of Nusseibeh, who was formally nominated by the UAE on October 21.
Notably, Nairobi had not publicly declared its position on the other candidates in the race, making Mudavadi’s statement welcoming Nusseibeh’s candidature particularly significant.
Sing’oei’s position — which contradicts his boss’s — now creates confusion over Nairobi’s position on the UN secretary general race. It also risks putting Nairobi at odds with Abu Dhabi with what now seems to be a withdrawal of its backing.
This is particularly so as it comes just days after President William Ruto met Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, the UAE Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at State House, Nairobi.
In a statement on October 23, Ruto described Kenya and the UAE as enjoying warm diplomatic ties grounded in shared aspirations.
He said the two countries would continue strengthening their relationship to facilitate greater trade and investment.
Nusseibeh is among several contenders seeking to replace Guterres, whose second term ends on December 31, 2026.
Other candidates include Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan, Argentina’s Rafael Mariano Grossi, Guyana’s Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett, Ecuadorian diplomat María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, Uganda’s Olara Otunnu and Ivonne A-Baki, who was nominated by Tonga.
The latest reported Security Council straw poll before Nusseibeh entered the race placed Grynspan among the leading candidates, alongside Grossi and Rodrigues Birkett.
The informal polls assess support among the 15 Security Council members, including the five permanent members — China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States — whose veto powers can block a recommendation.
Under the UN Charter, the Security Council recommends a candidate for appointment by the General Assembly.
Kenya’s position remains significant given its role as host to the UN Office at Nairobi, which includes the headquarters of the UN Environment Programme and UN-Habitat.
Nairobi has also advocated reforms to international institutions to increase Africa’s representation in global decision-making.
