Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has called for Kenya to adopt a proactive and influential role in the global arena by embracing an adaptive foreign policy that aligns with the changing world order.
Speaking during the opening of a retreat on Sessional Paper No. 1 of 2025 on the Foreign Policy of the Republic of Kenya, Mudavadi stressed the importance of refining the country’s diplomatic strategy to effectively respond to emerging geopolitical challenges. The event was attended by members of the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations, alongside senior government officials.
“At a time when the world is facing a new order and beginning to look inwards, we must have a pragmatic and forward-looking foreign policy that will help the country,” said Mudavadi. He highlighted the significance of multi-polarity, protectionism, and transactional diplomacy as signs of shifting global dynamics that demand a strategic response from Kenya.
He further noted that the newly launched Kenya Diaspora Policy 2024 plays a key role in operationalising the broader objectives of the Foreign Policy 2024, particularly in strengthening ties with Kenyans abroad and leveraging diaspora potential for national development.
The Sessional Paper, which follows the December 2024 launch of the Foreign Policy, outlines key recommendations for Kenya’s diplomatic direction and calls for parliamentary approval to ensure implementation.
Central to the Paper is a proposal for a holistic approach to financing foreign policy implementation. Mudavadi urged Parliament to support efforts to optimise the use of Kenya’s diplomatic assets, enhance terms of service for foreign service staff, and professionalise recruitment and deployment processes.
He warned that the resurgence of great power rivalries and a “new scramble for Africa” requires Kenya to be strategic and responsive to safeguard its national interests.
The Foreign Policy framework aims to promote the welfare of Kenyans abroad, deepen strategic partnerships, expand trade and investment, and contribute to regional and global peace and stability. It positions Kenya to reinforce its stature as a key global player in an increasingly complex and competitive international landscape.
