The Prime Cabinet Secretary and Minister of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi has assured the country that Kenya’s foreign policy is fit for purpose and one worthy to look forward to.
In a press release on Monday, November 18, Musalia said that there will be no room for flip-flopping, with the policy expected to be a fit-for-purpose document, coming at a time when the country is re-defining its future course on global diplomatic engagements.
Moreover, Mudavadi noted that the revised policy will be critical in shaping and redefining Kenya’s position on the international front. Additionally, the ongoing stakeholders’ engagements must culminate in a document that reflects the aspirations of the citizens.
“We have decided to break from the past and be forward-looking as we take the foreign policy to the people to ensure we move along with Kenyans in our diplomatic engagements. The objective being to pull together for a common goal as a nation,” said Mudavadi.
“The ultimate goal of a country’s foreign policy is to provide a blueprint and strategy for achieving its national interests in line with the common good of the nation and shared prosperity. Therefore, the Kenyan public has a frontline role in contributing to the formulation and implementation of our foreign policy. This is the reason we are all gathered here today.” he added.
Furthermore, he emphasized that Kenya Foreign Policy 2024 must meet diplomatic standards on integrity and should be consistent to fit into the evolving global dynamics surrounding the mutating geopolitical landscape and the pressing diplomatic realities of the current times.
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Mudavadi Speaks at KICC
At the same time, Mudavadi while speaking during the public stakeholders’ validation forum at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), where the ministry engaged the public in an interactive conversation as the review process entered its homestretch.
Today’s validation exercise paved the way for the final input of the views from the broader public ahead of a high-level retreat with President William Ruto to finalize the process before the official launch slated for early December.
“Public participation is a fundamental principle of Kenya’s democratic governance and is enshrined in our country’s constitution. We have to be aware of the fact that the ultimate good of a country’s Foreign Policy lies within the aspirations of its citizens enshrined in an all-of-society approach that reflects the views, interests and values of the citizens,” he stated.
The ministry has held several roundtable discussions and consultations with a wide range of stakeholders including government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, civil society organizations, media, academicians, Ambassadors and High Commissioners, Council of Governors, Parliament, Youths and Judiciary, among others.
Mudavadi said the 2024 foreign policy must be anchored on broader ownership and be citizen-centered as the sovereign power of the nation lies with the people.
“How can we utilize our foreign policy to inculcate in our people patriotism and a fervent desire to positively project our country’s image in the international arena?” he posed, stating that there should be a mechanism to aid close the missing link between the country’s foreign policy and the citizen’s understanding and engagement in the country’s international affairs.
Mudavadi said the validation process through a public stakeholders’ forum will give the ministry an upper hand to engage parliament as the representative arm of the people.
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Kenya Signs Mutually Beneficial Agreements
Mudavadi stated that President Ruto continues to set the pace as Kenya’s chief diplomat by actively engaging in strategic diplomatic activities. Additionally, Kenya has been able to sign mutually beneficial agreements in order to expand trade opportunities for the citizens, diversify creative economy prospects and secure labour mobility agreements to address youth unemployment.
He said these are some of the areas that need to be strengthened in the revised policy document citing that attracting Foreign Direct Investment calls for a solid foreign policy document that will stand the test of time.
“Our country has received more international scholarship, seen a rise in Public Private Partnerships that are spurring infrastructural development in Kenya, and increased international engagements that flourish tourism and guarantee our peace and security, among others,” he elaborated.
Lastly, he noted that Kenya’s Foreign Policy also recognises new frontiers and emerging trends in global diplomacy including Parliamentary Diplomacy, the role of Media in Kenya’s Foreign Policy, Judicial Diplomacy and the Interface with County Governments.
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