As Kenya marks 60 years of diplomatic relations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says its engagements regionally and globally have been a success over the years.
In a brief shared with the Press, the Ministry notes that over the last 60 years, Kenya’s national interests have centred around improving relations with development partners, securing peace in the region, while enhancing trade regionally, continentally and globally.
“Generally, over the last 60 years, Kenyan diplomacy has been very successful: Kenya has been the foremost peacebuilder, not just regionally but globally. Kenya has hosted one of the largest UN complexes in Africa since 1974 and is also a very influential player in the Africa Union, COMESA and the EAC,” the dispatch says.
Further, demonstrating its global presence, the Ministry says Kenya currently has close to 70 missions around the world, “a testament to its growing global influence”, and that Kenya’s leaders have been invited to address G20 meetings, as well as other fora with a high global profile
During a press briefing on Kenya’s 60 year diplomatic journey on Tuesday, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who is also in charge of the Foreign Affairs docket Kenya’s diplomatic foot print has increased from six in 1964 to 68.
“Shortly after independence in 1963, Kenya embarked on a journey to establish herself as a sovereign state and assert her independence on the global stage. Kenya did this by opening the first six missions in 1964. In Peking (Beijing), Moscow, London, Bonn, Cairo, New York for the UN and Paris. From these humble beginnings, Kenya currently has 68 missions spread across the world championing for the country’s interests.
“These comprise 29 missions in Africa, 16 in Asia and Middle East, 14 in Europe, five in Americas and one in Oceania. This diplomatic footprint also include our offices in the United Nations capitals of Nairobi, New York, Geneva and Paris,” Mudavadi said.
The ministry further notes that Kenya has also held a seat in the UN Security Council [thrice] and is the nation that is leading the effort to restore law and order in Haiti.
“More recently, Kenya is now recognised as the climate change champion of the world,” the statement adds.
PEACE AND STABILITY
In the Mudavadi address, he noted that Kenya has worked in regional and global peace, having participated in 43 peace keeping and peace support missions. These include Yugoslavia, Cambodia, Iran, East Timor, Western Sahara, Sierra Leone, Liberia, DRC, Somalia, South Sudan and recently Haiti.
“This demonstrates our commitment to regional and global stability,” Mudavadi said.
Acknowledging Kenya’s progress in its diplomatic journey, UN Resident Coordinator Stephen Jackson on Wednesday noted that Kenya has made her voice loud and clear for peace, justice and sustainable development for “six great decades”.
The ministry further notes that the success of the diplomatic engagements has resulted in economic dividends over time, with the country signing various bilateral trade agreements, opening opportunities for Kenyans abroad, securing both the UN presence while expanding the UN complex in Nairobi and securing tangible climate change support for Kenya to safe guard agricultural productivity:
“Specifically, over the last 2 years, Kenya’s diplomacy has made further strides: Kenya has established sector-specific trade agreements with key trading partners, including the US, the UK, China, France, Germany, South Korea and Japan among others. These trade agreements have opened up new markets for Kenyan products – both manufacturing and agricultural output.
“The trade agreements have resulted in job-intensive foreign direct investments (FDI), including CCI (UAE) call centre in TATU city, Taifa Gas (TZ) in Mombasa and Jumbo Vehicle Auction (Japan) in Naivasha SEZ,” it added.
Kenya Deputy Ambassador to China Lynette Mwende opines that Kenya marks 60 years of diplomacy, the country has been an anchor state fostering economic diplomacy, globally.
“In line with this, we continue to leverage African institutions and our people for homegrown solutions. This shall advance key agenda such as African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement,” she says.
Regarding the diaspora, the Ministry prides itself in opening more job opportunities in among other destinations Germany, the UK and Qatar, noting that Kenyans living abroad remits billions of shillings back home.
“Diaspora inflows are integral to Kenya’s economic growth because this injection of funds stimulates economic activity, thereby creating jobs at home,” MFA said.
ACTIONS TAINTING KENYA’S IMAGE
Despite progress made, some recent incidences have painted the country’s image and human rights record negatively, such as the abduction and reparation of four Turkish nationals who had sought refuge in Kenya as well as the abduction and arrest of Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye.
DRC last year accused Kenya of hosting some Congolese rebel leaders launched the Congo River Alliance, in Nairobi. The alliance includes DRC politicians and groups such as the M23 rebels and Corneille Nangaa, a former DRC election commission chief. This led to Kinshasa recalling its envoy to Kenya in protest.
The military leadership in Sudan has also accused Nairobi of harbouring Rapid Support Forces elements, which saw President William Ruto’s leadership to mediate in the conflict under IGAD auspices rejected.
Kenya is marking 60 years of its diplomatic relations between November 27 and December 7 and will host various activities during the period.
These engagements include the press briefing by the Foreign Affairs CS, a golf tournament, Ministry Open Day, launch of the reviewed foreign policy, conferences and tree planting.
The key focus areas in the reviewed foreign policy are peace and security diplomacy, economic and commercial diplomacy, diaspora diplomacy, social-cultural diplomacy, science, technology and innovation diplomacy, global governance and multilateral diplomacy and environment and climate diplomacy.
