The Kenya Kwanza government’s recent actions have been contravening the national interests and core principles of the reviewed foreign policy that was launched on December 2.
The document, which reviews the inaugural documented Kenya Foreign Policy of 2014 lists nine prioritised national interests, which it says their promotion and safeguarding is a key focus of Kenya’s foreign policy.
These are territorial integrity, sovereignty and security of citizenry; political stability, economic growth and prosperity; constitutionalism and rule of law; national values and principles of governance; environmental sustainability and climate action; strategic regional leadership and global competitiveness and collaboration; peaceful coexistence; resolution of conflict through peaceful means and thought leadership.
The policy explains that security of the citizenry involves “the protection of life and property of citizens, their rights, freedoms, intellectual property, peace stability and prosperity as articulated by Article 238 (1) of the Constitution”.
The article defines national security as the protection of Kenya from internal and external threats to its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and other national interests. This includes the protection of the people, their rights, freedoms, property, peace, stability, and prosperity.
However, the Ruto administration has been accused of killings and abductions during and after the Gen Z demonstrations, clamping on freedoms of picketing, arbitrary arrests and trumped up charges.
In its report in July, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) said at least 60 young Kenyans were killed during the demos, while 66 persons were reported missing.
Videos went viral of police shooting at and killing protesters, as well as individuals in plain clothes and in unmarked cars believed to be undercover police officers abducting citizens.
President William Ruto denied people were abducted despite him promising the practice would stop under his administration.
Regarding protection of property, despite the President publicly saying no violent evictions would be undertaken under his administration, residents of Mathare slums were violently evicted from their houses that were allegedly built on riparian land in June.
The High Court in November the High Court ordered the government to compensate residents of Mathare, Gwa Kairu, Mukuru Kwa Ruben, and Kiamaiko over the evictions.
The court ruled that the residents were entitled to fair and just compensation for the loss of personal property, real estate, and other goods. The residents had challenged the government’s decision to evict them without providing alternative shelter.
Under the constitutionalism and rule of law principle, the Kenya Foreign Policy document provides that the country “will strive to espouse the values of constitutionalism and rule of law in the region and globally by supporting good governance as a pillar of democracy”.
However, Kenya has been accused of abducting and repatriating Uganda opposition figure Kizza Besigye, who is facing charges in a military court.
Despite the Foreign Affairs officials denying any involved, Ugandan officials have publicly said their security officials worked hand in hand with their Kenyan counterparts to get Besigye from Kenya.
This came shortly after Kenya contravened international law when it abducted and repatriated back to Turkey four Turkish refugees living in Kenya.
PS Korir confirmed the repatriation was at the request of Turkish authorities, which effectively means the Kenyan government contravened the 1951 Refugee Convention in which it is a party to.
Article 33 (1) of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees: Non-Penalization, Detention and Protection provides, “No Contracting State shall expel or return (” refouler “) a refugee in any manner whatsoever to the frontiers of territories where his life or freedom would be threatened on account of his race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion.
On peaceful coexistence with neighbours and other nations, Kenya has severed ties with Sudan, after the military leadership in Khartoum (currently based in Port Sudan) accused Nairobi of harbouring and supporting Rapid Support Forces.
Sky News Arabiain September 2023 interviewed US-sanctioned RSF Deputy Commander Abdulrahim Dagalo in Nairobi, confirming his presence in the city.
In January 2024, President William Ruto hosted RSF Commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo in Nairobi and treated him to a presidential reception which led Sudan to recalling its envoy in Kenya. Sudanhad earlier rejected President Ruto as the chairman of the IGAD-led mediation quartet in the Sudan conflict citing his ties with RSF.
In November 2024, RSF addressed the media in Nairobi where it refuted accusations of rights abuse, rape and murder.
The DRC has also severed ties with Kenya over accusations of harbouring rebels, and offering them a platform to address the media.
Last year, Kinshasa accused Nairobi of hosting some Congolese rebel leaders who launched the Congo River Alliance in the country. 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 in protest.
