A fresh push by governors to be formally integrated into the Kenya foreign policy framework is setting the stage for a potential institutional standoff, as counties seek a greater role in a space traditionally controlled by the national government.
The latest calls by the Council of Governors signal a shift toward “devolved diplomacy”, where sub-national governments and provinces increasingly position themselves as key actors in trade, investment and development partnerships.
Speaking during the 19th Ambassadors’ Conference in Nairobi, Council of Governors chairman Ahmed Abdullahi argued that counties must be deliberately integrated into the foreign policy architecture, noting that many international agreements ultimately play out at the local level.
“As Kenya strengthens its foreign policy engagements, counties must be deliberately integrated because this is where many international commitments translate into real impact for citizens through trade, investment, climate action and development partnerships,” Governor Abdullahi said.
He argued that county governments have a place in advancing Kenya’s interests in the rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape, and called for a stronger intergovernmental framework on foreign affairs.
The Wajir county boss also called for structured county participation in treaty processes and deeper collaboration that “positions counties not as observers, but as strategic actors in delivering Kenya’s international agenda”.
“Our commitment remains clear: a foreign policy that works for every Kenyan, in every county,” he said.
The push for a structured intergovernmental framework seeks to allow counties to participate in treaty processes, international negotiations and the implementation of bilateral agreements.
The CoG chairman was make his address days after meeting India High Commissioner Adarsh Swaika last week.
During the meeting, spoke on strengthening collaboration between the county governments and the government of India in trade, agriculture and disaster risk management.
“Our engagement underscored the immense potential of the County Aggregation and Industrial Parks programme to unlock value addition, create jobs and accelerate local economic growth.
“We also highlighted the vast untapped opportunities within ASAL agriculture and the importance of commercializing livestock value chains to secure sustainable livelihoods for our people,” the CoG chairman said.
Inn this regard, Abdullahi said that as CoG they would coordinate interested counties to deepen the partnership with India for “practical impact”.
Many other county chiefs have engaged foreign diplomats on among other areas economy and social-economic support.
However, the growing assertiveness by counties is likely to revive a long-standing constitutional and political debate over the limits of devolved authority in foreign affairs.
The Constitution provides that foreign policy remains the exclusive mandate of the national government, a position that has been firmly defended by senior officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In November 2023, Korir Sing’oei publicly cautioned governors against venturing into foreign policy pronouncements, insisting that the function is solely reserved for the national government.
His remarks came in response to a statement by Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong’o on the Gaza conflict, which the national government quickly distanced itself from, underscoring the sensitivity of diplomatic positions.
“Foreign policy is the exclusive domain of the national government,” Sing’oei said at the time.
Governor Nyong’o had called on African states to break ties with Israel because of the attacks on Gaza.
PS Korir, however, moved to clarify the statement saying it did not reflect the position of the Kenyan government.
Earlier in October, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga had also issued a statement on the Israel-Palestine hostilities, inviting a backlash over the communique.
The renewed push by governors now raises questions about how the Executive will reconcile the need for a coherent foreign policy with the practical realities of devolution.
The Sessional paper No1. Of 2025 on the Kenya Foreign Policy admits that lack of legislation or framework to guide the engagement of county governments with the ministry has a bearing on the extent to which it can engage with them.
This is despite the same policy paper acknowledging that central to Kenya’s economic and commercial diplomacy, is the promotion of the county’s economic growth.
The Sessional paper also notes that the reviewed foreign policy was informed by among other instruments and frameworks the “national and sub-national or county government policies”.
“County governments play an important role in advancing Kenya’s foreign policy objectives. Their interface with foreign relations is, therefore, important in promoting and projecting Kenya’s diplomacy,” the policy says.
It, however, notes that the Constitution and the Intergovernmental Relations Act 2012 provide the latitude for county governments to cooperate with the national government in international matters as “appropriate”.
