PCS Mudavadi Appoints New Foreign Service Academy Board
A Seven-member Council comprising representatives of key institutions, including the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, the National Treasury, the Public Service Commission, the Kenya School of Government, academia, and other critical sectors has been inaugurated to offer strategic policy guidance to the Academy and capacity build diplomats to navigate an increasingly complex and fast-evolving global environment.
The Council inaugurated in October 2024 will contribute to ensuring that Kenya remains at the forefront of diplomatic training and preparedness, reinforcing its leadership in regional and global diplomacy. The Academy continues to document Kenya's diplomatic history, train Foreign Service Cadets and other Public Servants, induct new Ambassadors, High Commissioners, and Consuls-General, and train diplomats and Ambassadors of friendly countries upon request.
“The challenges and dynamics of modern diplomacy are shifting rapidly. We must ensure that our diplomatic service is highly skilled and ready to meet the demands of a changing world. Our diplomats must be well-versed in these emerging fields such as cyber diplomacy, science diplomacy, health diplomacy, space diplomacy, environmental diplomacy, and trade and peace negotiations so as to safeguard and promote Kenya’s national interests effectively on the global stage.” The PS stated during the inauguration.
The Foreign Service Academy's Ag. Director General, Ambassador Paul K. Ndung'u confirms that the institution has two main missions among them, to provide specialized training and skills development for Foreign Service Officers and other Public Service members and, to conduct strategic Foreign Policy Research and Analysis to serve as a foreign policy think tank for the Ministry and Government of Kenya.
The FSA Act 2021 establishes and composes the Foreign Service, its functions, the Cabinet Secretary and Principal Secretary's powers and functions, the recruitment of Foreign Service personnel and their conditions of service, and the Council's role. The FSA Council is anticipated to strengthen the Academy's institutional autonomy, which will increase its capacity and productivity by enabling policy research and resource mobilization partnerships.
The inauguration of the Council follows the gazettement of the members in August 2024 by the Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs. In a Kenya gazette notice dated August 8, 2024, Dr. Patrick Maluki, Beatrice Kituyi, and Dr. Kenneth Wyne Mutuma will serve in the Foreign Service Academy Council for a period of three years effective August 9, 2024.
Dr. Patrick Maluki, a Masinde Muliro University (2013) Doctor of Philology graduate of Peace and Conflict Studies holds a Bachelor of Education (Arts) from Moi University (1990) and a Master of Arts in International Studies from Jawaharial Nehru University of India (1996). He also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Mass Communication (University of Nairobi, 2002).
Ms. Beatrice Kituyi, a former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour (2008–2013) is an Advocate of the High Court and graduate of the University of London, (Master of Sciences in Public Policy and Management, 2011).
Dr. Kenneth Mutuma, holds a PhD and Masters of Law from the University of Cape Town (2013 and 2007), and a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from Liverpool University. He also holds a Bachelor of Architectural Studies from Nairobi University. He is also Senior Lecturer at the University of Nairobi.
