Cabinet approves comprehensive foreign policy to strengthen Kenya’s global footprint

President William Ruto’s Cabinet on Tuesday unanimously approved the Kenyan Foreign Policy 2024, a landmark achievement underscoring the country’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty, economic prosperity, security and growing global influence.

The historic milestone marks a transformative step in Kenya’s approach to international relations, ensuring that the country’s foreign engagements remain relevant and progressive in an evolving global landscape.

Further, the Cabinet approved the integration of the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs into the Security Sector Working Group under the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, aligning its budget with its critical role in national security and international relations.

This marks a major step towards enhancing the Ministry’s budget, effectiveness and operations.

“The move to have the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs included in the Security Sector budget framework will strengthen the country’s global presence,” Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi said in a statement to newsrooms through his Press Service Director Jacob Ng’etich.

According to the Constitution, the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs sits on the National Security Council (NSC) of Kenya, a body responsible for overseeing the country’s national security.

The NSC includes the President, Deputy President, Cabinet Secretary for Defense, Cabinet Secretary for Internal Security, the Attorney-General, the Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, the Director-General of the National Intelligence Service, and the Inspector-General of the National Police Service.

The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs likewise plays a vital role in coordinating critical diplomatic interventions with security implications.

This includes efforts such as the deployment of Kenyan Security Personnel in Haiti, the Tumaini Peace Initiative and Mediation process on the South Sudan conflict, and humanitarian interventions in conflict zones.

It also facilitates the evacuation of Kenyans in distress abroad, as seen in recent evacuations from Lebanon and Sudan. Moreover, the Ministry oversees the coordination of official presidential foreign visits.

Many of these visits arise in response to emerging situations that may not have been initially budgeted for, further highlighting the need for an enhanced budget and operational capacity.

The revision of the Kenyan Foreign Policy 2024 was spearheaded by the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, which embraced a ‘Whole of Government and Society’ approach.

This inclusive process ensures that a broad spectrum of voices contributed to shaping the policy, ensuring it reflects the diverse interests of the nation.

The Ministry conducted consultations with various stakeholders, including government ministries, departments, and agencies, the National Assembly and Senate, county governments, the private sector, civil society, academia, media, faith-based organizations, and representatives of women, youth, and the Kenyan Diaspora.

This culminated in a policy that aligns with the Government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), positioning Kenya as a hub for trade, investment, and diplomacy.

“The revised policy is a testament to Kenya’s adherence to constitutional principles and its commitment to ensuring public participation in decision-making processes. Key Features of the Revised Kenya Foreign Policy 2024 include Strategic Objectives of a policy tailored to advance Kenya’s standing as a regional leader and advocate for Africa’s interests globally,” the statement noted.

“Core objectives include protecting Kenya’s sovereignty, promoting economic prosperity, enhancing regional and global peace, and positioning Nairobi as a global diplomatic hub.”

According to Mudavadi, to ensure the effective implementation of the policy, the Foreign Service Act of 2021 will be amended, new regulations developed and a Sessional Paper will be tabled before Parliament.

“The Ministry’s integration into the Security Sector Working Group under the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework highlights the critical role of diplomacy in national security and international relations,” said Mudavadi.

The policy advances Kenya’s role in multilateral diplomacy, climate governance, and green industrialization, with initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and advocacy for reforms in global financial system.