Editor's Review

Kenya is set to expand its diplomatic presence with the creation of three new embassies, following a decision made during a Cabinet meeting chaired by President William Ruto.

Kenya is set to expand its diplomatic presence with the creation of three new embassies, following a decision made during a Cabinet meeting chaired by President William Ruto on Tuesday, November 11.

In a statement from the Cabinet dispatch, the government approved the establishment of new embassies in three countries including the Vatican City.

The Cabinet explained that the move aims to enhance Kenya’s diplomatic, moral, and development engagement globally.

"Cabinet endorsed the establishment of an Embassy of the Republic of Kenya to the Vatican City to strengthen diplomatic engagement with the Holy See and advance Kenya's global, moral, and development diplomacy," the dispatch read.

The Cabinet noted that the Vatican City holds immense influence in matters of peace and humanitarian affairs, areas in which Kenya seeks to build stronger partnerships.

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"The Vatican City, home to the Holy See and the seat of the Roman Catholic Church, holds significant influence in global peace, dialogue, and humanitarian affairs. 

"A resident embassy will deepen bilateral relations, enhance collaboration in peace-building, climate action, humanitarian initiatives, and strengthen engagement with the Vatican's global network of faith-based institutions," the dispatch added.

File image of President William Ruto and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki during the Cabinet meeting

The Cabinet added that Kenya’s engagement with the Vatican is expected to bolster cooperation with Catholic development agencies.

"The move will also boost cooperation with Catholic development agencies that run more than 7,700 schools and 500 health facilities in Kenya, supporting the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda through expanded partnerships in education, healthcare, and social welfare," the dispatch further read.

Beyond the Vatican, the Cabinet also approved the establishment of new embassies in Denmark and Vietnam.

"Additionally, Cabinet further approved the establishment of new embassies in Copenhagen (Denmark) and Hanoi (Vietnam) to expand Kenya's diplomatic footprint, strengthen bilateral and trade relations, and advance the country's strategic interests globally," the dispatch added.

Elsewhere, this comes days after the South Sudanese Embassy in Kenya was closed over alleged rent arrears. 

Juba-based Radio Tamazuj confirmed that the South Sudanese mission in Kenya left after the embassy's closure on Friday, November 7.

The embassy was housed in Senteu Plaza in Nairobi's Kilimani area.

According to the South Sudanese radio station, the embassy was charged $9,000 (equivalent to Ksh1.16 million) as monthly rent.

Sources further indicated that the embassy has been sitting on its arrears for over one year.

The landlord is said to have locked the embassy's premises, forcing the mission, led by Ambassador Anthony Louis Kon, to fly to Juba. 

"The landlord came on Friday and locked the embassy buildings. So the embassy will remain closed until the government in Juba intervenes. The embassy has been unable to pay rent for nearly a year, and the monthly rent is about $9,000," Radio Tamazuj quoted the embassy's staffers.