Cabinet approves new foreign policy to strengthen Kenya’s diplomatic and security posture
Anchored on eight strategic focus areas, the policy positions Kenya as a proactive and influential leader on the global stage, committed to advancing both national and African interests.

The Cabinet has approved the revised Kenya Foreign Policy 2024, which proposes institutional changes to strengthen the country’s diplomatic and security posture.
The move will see the ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs integrated into the Security Sector Working Group under the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, aligning its budget with its critical role in national security and international relations.
The policy revision includes amendments to the Foreign Service Act, 2021, development of new regulations, and tabling of a Sessional Paper in Parliament to ensure the policy remains relevant to evolving global challenges.
In a statement welcoming the move by Cabinet, the ministry described it as a landmark achievement that underscores the country’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty, promoting economic prosperity, enhancing security and solidifying its global influence.
“This historic milestone marks a transformative step in Kenya’s approach to international relations, ensuring the country’s foreign engagements remain relevant and forward-looking in an evolving global landscape.
The revised policy reflects Kenya’s strategic responses to pressing domestic and international challenges, addressing emerging trends such as the rise of multipolarity in global politics, the increased competition for
influence in Africa, the impact of climate change, regional security threats, and new economic opportunities in trade, investment and technology.
Anchored on eight strategic focus areas, the policy positions Kenya as a proactive and influential leader on the global stage, committed to advancing both national and African interests.
Key Features of the Revised Kenya Foreign Policy 2024 are:
1. Strategic Objectives: The policy is tailored to advance Kenya’s standing as a regional leader and advocate for Africa’s interests globally. Core objectives include protecting Kenya’s sovereignty, promoting economic prosperity, enhancing regional and global peace and positioning Nairobi as a global diplomatic hub.
2. Thematic Focus Areas: The policy identifies eight interlinked focus areas:
– Peace and Security Diplomacy;
– Economic and Commercial Diplomacy;
– Socio-Cultural Diplomacy;
– Diaspora Diplomacy;
– Digital Diplomacy;
– Environment and Climate Diplomacy;
– Global Health Diplomacy;
– Global Governance and Multilateral Diplomacy; and
Sustainable Oceans Diplomacy.
3. Institutional Strengthening: To ensure effective implementation, the Foreign Service Act, 2021, will be amended, new regulations developed and a Sessional Paper tabled before Parliament. The ministry’s integration into the Security Sector Working Group under the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework highlights the critical role of diplomacy in national security and international relations.
4. Inclusivity and Collaboration: The policy’s development reflects insights from the National Assembly’s Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations Committee, the Council of Governors, civil society organisations and expert colloquiums. This collaborative process underscores Kenya’s commitment to a unified and inclusive foreign
policy framework.
4. Alignment with Global Imperatives: The policy advances Kenya’s role in multilateral diplomacy, climate governance, and green industrialisation, with initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and advocacy for reforms in global financial systems.