Martin Kimani’s term as Kenya’s permanent representative to the UN ends

Ambassador Martin Kimani’s term as the permanent representative of Kenya’s mission to the United Nations (UN) has lapsed.

Dr Kimani has held the role since December 2020, when he was appointed by then-President Uhuru Kenyatta. He was then retained by President William Ruto after he succeeded Kenyatta in September 2022.

In a post on X, Kimani on Monday expressed gratitude to the two presidents, terming it an honour to serve Kenya in the diplomacy, counter-terrorism, regional security and mediation fronts for the past 12 years.

“Today, I end my term as Kenya's Permanent Representative after 1257 days. I was honoured by H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta's appointment and retention by H.E. Williams Ruto. I am proud to have served Kenyans for 12 years in diplomacy, counter-terrorism, regional security and mediation. I love Kenya,” the ambassador wrote.

The diplomat is known for boldly telling off Russian President Vladimir Putin over his country’s advancement into Ukraine during a UN Security Council emergency meeting in February 2022.

“This action and announcement breaches the territorial integrity of Ukraine, we do not deny that there may be serious security concerns in these regions but they cannot justify today’s recognition of these regions as independent states,” said Kimani at the time.

“Not when there are multiple diplomatic tracts available and underway that have the ability to offer peaceful solutions.”

Before the UN permanent representative role, Kimani had served as the National Counter-Terrorism Centre Director since 2015.

The ambassador was also the secretary for strategic initiatives in President Kenyatta’s office from December 2018.

Kimani’s CV also boasts of past stints at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Nairobi where he was the country’s permanent representative, as well as the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) between December 2012 and September 2015.

The envoy has also worked in Ethiopia as a director at the Intergovernmental Authority on Development’s (IGAD) Conflict Early Warning and Response Mechanism from 2011 to 2012.

Additionally, he was part of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) Taskforce and Steering Committee between 2018 and 2020, serving as joint secretary.

Kimani holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of New Hampshire, United States as well as master’s and doctorate degrees in War Studies from King’s College London, United Kingdom.

He now moves to the Centre on International Cooperation (CIC), a non-profit research centre at New York University (NYU), as its executive director beginning June 3.

Meanwhile, President William Ruto has nominated former Turkana County Speaker Erastus Lokaale to replace Ambassador Kimani. He awaits Parliament vetting.