Prime Cabinet Secretary has said Kenya for six decades, has been at the forefront of diplomacy, advocating for mutual respect, dialogue, and unity on the global stage for the benefit of 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, from a humble beginning, the country has risen from just four embassies in in63 to 68 missions spread across the world, championing for 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.” Mudavadi said.
These he said comprise 29 missions in Africa, 16 Missions in Asia/Middle East, 14 in Europe, five in 5 in America, and one in Oceania. “This diplomatic footprint also includes our offices in the United Nations Capitals of Nairobi, New York, Geneva, and Paris,” said Prime Cabinet Secretary, also Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs.
Mudavadi said that as a country, it looked ahead with confidence to the next 60 years of Kenya’s Diplomatic Journey, anchored on Kenya’s new Foreign Policy, which has been subjected to extensive stakeholder engagement in the past few weeks.
He said that as one of the founding members of the Organization of African Unity, now the African Union, Kenya continues to champion African unity, economic integration, and peace.
He noted that Kenya has had many strides including being the only country in the Global South to host a United Nations office, and to have been 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.
Mudavadi said that Kenya had played a pivotal role as the global environment capital since 1972 when it hosted the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) global headquarters. T
“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.” Mudavadi added.
The PCS said that the UN had made significant investments in the country and as a country, and it will soon have a venue that can host a United Nations General Assembly, a huge and transformative event 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 noted.
The PCS said 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 November 27 to December 7, 2024, and will feature a series of activities.” He said.
In breaking down the series of events that will culminate into the Jamhuri Day on the 12th of December, the PCS said that the Ministry will have its inaugural Open Day on the 29th of November 2024 at the Ministry Headquarters Car Park where they will invite members of the public to participate to learn more about the services offered by the Ministry.
In the following week, the ministry said it expects to host various conferences speaking to Diplomacy and Foreign Policy in events that would be presided over by President William Ruto, who is Diplomat Number 1.
“There will also be exhibitions open to the public where various partners and organizations will showcase the services they have rendered to the country over the 60 years. These exhibitions are a great learning opportunity for us who believe that Kenya is not an island. I am sure that there will be plenty of knowledge-sharing and excitement.” He said.
The public events according to the Principal Secretary Korir Singoei, State Department for Foreign Affairs will provide an opportunity for all of us to understand the scope of diplomacy as practiced by our foreign service officers.
“They will also enable the public to appreciate the role the citizen plays in the articulation of the country’s foreign policy. Further, these events provide a great opportunity for interactions between the citizens and the various practitioners of diplomacy.” Sing’oei noted.
