Cabinet Secretary, Amb. Raychelle Omamo presided over the launch of the Ministry’s report on major milestones and achievements for the year 2020/2021 on January 21, 2022.
Speaking at the launch held at the Ministry headquarters, CS Omamo underlined that MFA remains grounded on His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Foreign Policy Vision which is primarily Pan-Africanist but also seeking for global partnerships for Kenya’s development goals, as envisioned in the Big Four Agenda and Vision 2030.
Noting that the past two years have been eventful for the country and the world due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the CS highlighted that, the Foreign Ministry managed to foster teamwork and launched a whole new direction that includes the development of a vibrant health and digital diplomacy.
“As a team, we successfully campaigned for the Non-Permanent Membership of the United Nations Security Council where we have done exceedingly well as exemplified by a fruitful presidency of the Council in October 2021,” CS Omamo stated.
“Regionally, we offered thought leadership on pertinent issues affecting the African continent in our capacity as member of the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC),” she added.
The Cabinet Secretary, reported that during that period, the Ministry strove to fulfil the vision of His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta, the current President in Office of the Summit of the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS). Kenya also hosted the historical first CARICOM – African Summit, which was held virtually in September 2021. The summit aimed at strengthening collaboration and unity between the two regions.
“We have similarly delivered thought leadership on issues relating to Managing Diversity, the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), Sustainable Development, Peace Keeping and Women and Youth Empowerment,” the Cabinet Secretary said, adding that, internally, the Ministry held a number of mentorship sessions with young officers to improve their practical skills and prepare them for future management tasks.
To address the Covid-19 challenges, the Ministry set up subcommittees to lead and respond to the crisis through staff safety, evacuation and facilitation as well as mobilization for donations of PPEs, testing kits, therapeutic and vaccines through leveraging of bilateral relations,
An Emergency Response Committee known as (SUNFEC) was also set up to assist United Nations Agencies in Kenya to continue to discharge humanitarian work and medevac for the region. In collaboration with UNON a UN Covid hospital was established in Nairobi.
The Cabinet Secretary commended the Chief Administrative Secretary, Hon. Ababu Namwamba, Principal Secretary Amb. Macharia Kamau and the Ministry’s team including Kenya missions abroad for the resilience and excellent teamwork displayed in the past two years that enabled achievements and laudable milestones. Best performers during the two-year period were awarded with certificates of appreciation for outstanding service and performance.