State Department for Foreign Affairs
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was established in 1963 after independence, as an External Affairs Department under the Office of the Prime Minister. In 1964, the Department was renamed the Ministry of State for Foreign Affairs under the Office of the President.
In 1969, the Department became a fully-fledged Ministry with three (3) divisions namely: Political/ Economic, Protocol and Administration. In 2023, the Ministry was split into two State departments namely the State Department for Foreign Affairs and the State Department for Diaspora Affairs.
The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs is mandated by the Kenya Constitution 2010 and the Foreign Service Act 2021 to manage Kenya’s Foreign Policy, through projecting, promoting and protecting national interests globally.
The State Department oversees the management of 70 fully fledged Missions with multiple accreditations, 4 Consulates-General, 2 Missions in Nairobi, 1 Liaison office, and 33 Honorary Consuls spread across the globe.
The State Department also serves ninety-three (93) resident Foreign Diplomatic Missions, and thirty-six (36) non-resident Diplomatic Missions; Forty-eight (48) UN Agencies and one hundred and thirteen (113) Inter-Governmental and International Organizations hosted in Kenya.
The following policies, regulations and legislations govern the operations of the Ministry the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, the Foreign Service Act, 2021, Public Service Commission Act, 2017, Treaty Making and Ratifications Act, 2012, Kenya Foreign Policy November, 2014, Administrative Rules Governing the Service of Kenya Missions July, 2022, the Executive Order No. 1 of January, 2023, Human Resource Policies and Procedure Manuals May, 2016. the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961; and The Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, 1963.
MANDATE
Provide legal advice to the Ministry, other Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Kenya Missions abroad, Foreign Missions accredited to Kenya and international organizations hosted in Kenya on matters falling within the mandate of the Ministry as outlined in Executive Order No. 2 of 2023.
MANDATE
Promote Kenya as a premier destination for international conferences and events through coordination and facilitation of the preparatory and execution of international conferences and events.
OBJECTIVES
i. To provide advisory services to the Government on hosting conferences.
ii. To coordinate logistics and manage administrative arrangements for hosting of international conferences/events in Kenya.
iii. To coordinate a strategy to identify, bid, and lobby to host major International Conferences and Events in Kenya.
MANDATE
Advance Kenya’s national strategic interests in the African Union, Regional Economic Communities and Continental Organization.
OBJECTIVES
i. Promote regional integration through the African Union Commission, Regional Economic Communities and African Union Organs;
ii. Contribute to the Economic Transformation of Kenya, the region and the entire African continent through enhanced Multi-Lateral Economic Cooperation;
iii. Enhance regional and continental peace, security and stability.
iv. Advice on Kenya's Position on various issues of strategic National Interest within the African Union, Regional and Continental organizations.
MANDATE
Ø Maintain a record of treaties that Kenya is a party to and treaties proposed for ratification by Kenya;
Ø Monitor the implementation of the treaties ratified by Kenya.
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MANDATE
Provide quality and efficient services on administration of diplomatic privileges to the Diplomatic Corps, UNON and International and Regional Organizations based in Kenya to promote Kenya’s image globally.
OBJECTIVES:
i. To promote and safeguard Kenya’s image globally;
ii. To administer Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities (Act 179) to the Diplomatic Corps, UNON, and International and Regional Organizations;
iii. Enhance stakeholder’s engagement with Diplomatic Corps, UNON, International and Regional Organizations.
