The government has announced plans to launch the Foreign Service Academy as a semi-autonomous government agency (SAGA) and a historical photo gallery at Uhuru Gardens as Kenya marks 60 years of diplomacy.
Speaking on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, Prime Cabinet Secretary who also serves as the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs Musalia Mudavadi called on Kenyans to renew their commitment to promoting peace, sustainable development, and strengthening partnerships that prioritize shared prosperity.
Kenya will be celebrating 60 years of diplomacy from Friday, November 29, 2024, with different events lined up up to December 7, 2024.
The celebrations will start with a Foreign Affairs Ministerial Open Day on Friday which will entail public engagement at the Ministry’s headquarters, showcasing departmental activities.
On December 2, 2024, President William Ruto will address the nations at the Kenyatta International Conventions Centre (KICC) where the official opening ceremony will be held.
There will also be public exhibitions showcasing the achievements of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the KICC and COMESA Grounds between December 2 and 4, 2024.
On December 3, 2024, there will be an environmental initiative at Ngong Road Forest, followed by private sector dialogues at KICC.
On December 4, there will be discussions on diaspora contributions to Kenya’s development. This will be followed by roundtables at the University of Nairobi exploring Kenya’s foreign policy evolution, peace initiatives and youth diplomacy.
The government will then launch the Foreign Service Academy as a semi-autonomous government agency (SAGA) and a historical photo gallery at Uhuru Gardens.
The government has also organized the Eldoret Run for Education Cross-country race as the final event on December 7, 2024.
Foreign Affairs Ministry journey
Kenya opened its first six missions in 1964 including Peking (currently Beijing), Moscow (USSR- now Russia), London (United Kingdom), Bonn (Germany), Cairo (Egypt), New York (UN) and Paris (France).
Currently, Kenya has 68 missions spread across the world, including 29 missions in Africa, 16 missions in Asia/Middle East, 14 in Europe, five in Americas and one in Oceania. The diplomatic footprint also includes offices in the United Nations Capitals of Nairobi, New York, Geneva, and Paris.
“Over the years, Kenya has participated in 43 peacekeeping and peace support missions including to Yugoslavia, Cambodia, Iran, East Timor, Western Sahara, Sierra Leone, Liberia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, South Sudan and Haiti. This demonstrates our commitment to regional and global stability,” Mudavadi stated.
“Kenya’s election to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in 2021 for a third term justifies its capacity to shape global governance and advance Africa’s voice in multilateral diplomacy. We do not take this for granted.”
Mudavadi hailed Nairobi as a super diplomatic hub, having hosted several diplomatic events and offices since independence in 1963.
“Kenya has played a pivotal role as the global environment capital. Since 1972, we have hosted the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) global headquarters. Today, Nairobi is home to one of the largest UN Duty stations hosting approximately 20,000 staff operating under the umbrella of the United Nations Office in Nairobi. This population of UN Staff is set to increase in 2025 as many staff relocate to Nairobi as part of the UN greater reform plans,” he stated.
The cabinet secretary revealed that Kenya will soon have a venue that can host a United Nations General Assembly.
“You will recall that Kenya hosted historic events such as the Third World Conference on Women (1985), the United Nations Environment Assembly (2021) and the inaugural Africa Climate Summit (2023). These and many others have solidified the country’s position as a global hub for diplomacy, international trade and investment,” he added.