KENYA HOSTS INAUGURAL MFA OPEN DAY: BRIDGING DIPLOMACY AND THE PUBLIC
The Inaugural Ministerial Open Day was held on 29th November 2024 at the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Headquarters in Nairobi to bridge the gap between the Ministry and the Kenyan public, who have had reservations and questions about the role the Ministry plays over the past 6 decades. The event was graced by Mr. Johnson Sakaja, Governor of Nairobi County, H.E. Amb. Beyene Russom, Ambassador of the State of Eritrea to Kenya and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Amb. Maria Alejandra Guerra, Ambassador of Chile to Kenya, representatives from various diplomatic missions and the United Nations in Nairobi, and the Ministry’s senior leadership led by Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Dr. Korir Singoei.
During the Open Day, the public was given a behind-the-scenes look at Kenya’s Missions abroad as well as the Department/Division/Unit’s within the Ministry and their roles in ensuring the success and operation of the Ministry. The event generated great momentum for the larger 60th Anniversary celebrations of Kenya’s Diplomatic Journey held on 2nd-7th December 2024.
One notable section on the Open Day was the “Future Diplomats” section, where a select number of universities from across Nairobi came to inquire on what the Ministry can offer them in terms of opportunities and gain inspiration from Senior and Career Diplomats who shared their journeys in the Ministry over a long period of time. Governor Sakaja and Presidential Special Envoy on Technology Amb. Philip Thigo encouraged students to pursue careers in diplomacy and embrace the current digital landscape to advance themselves and towards building a better Kenya for the future.
Overall, the Open Day proved to be a success with an over 97% visitor approval rating, large attendance, and 24 universities and institutions represented. The Ministry will continue to work towards more achievements as part of advancing the newly redesigned Kenya Foreign Policy and its agenda for the betterment of the Continent and the World as a whole through Kenya’s contributions.