My attention has been drawn to an article appearing on The Standard on Thursday May 20, titled “Why Kenya’s foreign influence is waning”, authored by one Kenneth Kuboka. The article presents flagrant errors and malevolent untruths regarding Kenya’s foreign policy and diplomatic stature.
In fact, Kenya’s relations with other members of the international community and Kenyans in diaspora couldn’t be better. Our foreign policy is consistently devoted to the five pillars of Peace, Diaspora, Economic, Environment and Culture in terms of doctrine and practice of diplomacy.
This is evidenced by numerous responsibilities bestowed upon the country over the years, including the current membership to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), Chair of the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC), President of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and Chair of the East African Community. It is worth noting that neither the attainment of such venerated global leadership roles nor mobilising the UN members to support Kenya in her bid for the UNSC non-permanent seat can be achieved by a country whose diplomatic influence is waning.
Kenya has deployed her foreign policy proficiency in promoting global, continental and regional as well as bilateral trade regimes to her benefit. This brings to mind the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) which opens up limitless market for Kenyans to trade within the continent. This is in addition to the solid market within the East African Community and COMESA Regional Economic blocks. The opening up to Asia including China, Japan and India has not only enhanced Kenya’s trade relations but also buttressed her diplomatic influence. Kenya continues to attract international organisations including Mastercard, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Africa Centre for Disease Control and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR).
Kenya’s role as the regional anchor state in terms of peace and security remains unchallenged. The most recent political manifestations in Somalia have vindicated Kenya. It is imperative to note that although Somalia has tried to undermine Kenya’s national interests, at no point have these attempts been successful because Kenya has deployed her diplomatic prowess.
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The article appears to be ignorant of the fact that Kenya hosts nearly 500,000 refugees from Somalia and that Somalia primarily depends on the AMISOM troops, of which Kenya is a part, to tame the threat of Al Shabaab. The Kenya Defence Forces have played a significant role in degrading capacity of Al Shabaab to stage spectacular attacks both in Somalia and Kenya.
-The writer is Principal Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
