Kenya Celebrates Historic Milestone with Cabinet Approval of the Foreign Policy 2024

Kenya Celebrates Historic Milestone with Cabinet Approval of the Foreign Policy 2024

Nairobi, Kenya – 22nd January, 2025

The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs is proud to announce the approval by the Cabinet of the Kenya Foreign Policy 2024, 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 fragmentation of the multilateral order, intensified geopolitical competition, 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.

The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs spearheaded this monumental undertaking with diligence and vision. The revision process embraced a “Whole of Government and Society” approach, ensuring inclusivity and the integration of diverse perspectives. The Ministry conducted comprehensive consultations with a wide array of stakeholders, including:

-    Government ministries, departments, and agencies;
-    Committees of the National Assembly and Senate;
-    County Governments;
-    The private sector and small and medium enterprises;
-    Civil society, academia, media, and faith-based organizations;
-    Representatives of women and youth; and
-    The Kenyan Diaspora and umbrella organizations of African ancestry.

These extensive engagements culminated in the development of a foreign policy that aligns with the Government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), positioning Kenya as a hub for trade, investment and diplomacy. The revised policy is a testament to Kenya’s adherence to constitutional principles and its commitment to ensuring public participation in decision-making processes.

Key Features of the Revised Kenya Foreign Policy 2024 are:

1.    Strategic Objectives: The policy is tailored to advance Kenya’s standing as an influential regional player 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 organizations and expert colloquiums. This collaborative process underscores Kenya’s commitment to a unified and inclusive foreign policy framework.

5.    Alignment with Global Imperatives: The policy advances Kenya’s role in multilateral diplomacy, climate governance, and green industrialization, with initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and advocacy for reforms in global financial systems.

This milestone would not have been possible without the commitment and professionalism of the dedicated public servants at the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs. The Government extends its deepest appreciation to all stakeholders and contributors whose invaluable input has shaped this visionary policy.

The importance of public awareness and participation cannot be understated. We acknowledge the vital role of media, academia, and civil society in demystifying foreign policy for ordinary Kenyans. By engaging the public and their elected representatives, the Government has ensured that this policy is not only a product of insights from expert but also a reflection of the people’s aspirations. Moving forward, the Government will take deliberate measures to publicize and disseminate information on foreign affairs in line with Article 35 of the Constitution of Kenya, which guarantees the right to access information.

The Revised Kenya Foreign Policy 2024 reaffirms our nation’s resolve to leverage diplomacy for sustainable growth, national security and global prosperity. It is more than a policy document; it is a testament to Kenya’s determination to achieve its vision of becoming an influential voice regionally, firm believer in equitable and fair multilateralism and a responsible member of the international community.  

The Government is confident that this milestone will chart a transformative path for Kenya’s foreign engagements. The Kenya Foreign Policy 2024 is a robust framework that aligns our national interests with global imperatives for the benefit of current and future generations.