Kenya's Foreign Policy: Strategy shift or an impulsive conduct gone rogue?

The building that houses the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

For so long, Kenya's foreign policy largely assumed a dovish posture, one devoid of confrontations and partisanship least overtly. It is a policy posture that saw Kenya regarded favourably by its regional neighbours as an impartial broker. Our largely non-interference-in-the-domestic-affairs-of-our-neighbours approach boosted confidence in and won us admiration and respect.

It is no wonder that the country played an undeniably critical role in mediating some regional conflicts. There are certain exceptions, some readily understandable, such as the acrimonious fallout that culminated in the break-up of the original EAC in 1977 and the territorial dispute with Uganda during Idi Amin's rule. That appears to have changed.