Kenya is set to commemorate 60 years of diplomacy this week starting Friday, November 29, 2024. Kenya’s diplomatic journey dates back to 1964, a year after independence, when it opened its first six missions in Peking (currently Beijing), Moscow (USSR- now Russia), London (United Kingdom), Bonn (Germany), Cairo (Egypt), New York (UN) and Paris (France).
Today, Kenya has 68 missions spread across the world, championing for the country’s interests. These comprise of 29 missions in Africa; 16 Missions in Asia/Middle East; 14 in Europe; five 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.
Kenya is also a founding member of the Organization of African Unity, now the African Union. Over the years, Kenya has participated 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.
“Kenya’s election to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in 2021 for a third term justifies its capacity to shape global governance and advance Africa’s voice in multilateral diplomacy. We do not take this for granted,” Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who also heads the Foreign Affairs docket, said on Tuesday, November 26, 2024.
Since 1972, we have hosted the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) global headquarters. 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.
“The UN has made significant investments in the country and as a country we will soon have a venue that can host a United Nations General Assembly. This is huge and transformative for Kenya,” Mudavadi added.
“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.”
Celebrating 60 years of diplomacy
To celebrate Kenya’s 60 years of diplomacy, the government set aside a week with a series of events starting with a Ministerial Open Day on November 29, which will entail public engagement at the Ministry’s headquarters, showcasing departmental activities.
There will be an opening ceremony on December 2, 2024, where President William Ruto will address the nation at KICC. Between December 2 and 4, the government will run public exhibitions at the KICC and COMESA Grounds. There will be an environmental initiative at Ngong Road Forest on December 3, followed by private sector dialogues at KICC.
On December 4, 2024, there will be discussions on diaspora contributions to Kenya’s development followed by roundtables at the University of Nairobi exploring Kenya’s foreign policy evolution, peace initiatives and youth diplomacy on December 5.
On December 6, the Ministry will launch of the Foreign Service Academy as a semi-autonomous government agency (SAGA) and a historical photo gallery at Uhuru Gardens. The celebrations will be crowned on December 7 with participation in the Eldoret Run for Education Cross-country race.
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