Kenya has responded after the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) protested President William Ruto’s nomination of a Consul-General to Goma.
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi, speaking on behalf of Ruto, clarified that the nomination of Judy Kiara Nkumiri itself does not amount to a posting.
Under international protocol, Kenya’s nominee must undergo parliamentary vetting, followed by Agrément (approval) and an Exequatur (authorization) from Kinshasa before assuming duties in Goma.
Therefore, Mudavadi insisted that the reshuffle is part of Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) to enhance service delivery, not an attempt to undermine Congo’s sovereignty or ongoing peace efforts.
But most significantly, the presidential nomination does not in itself constitute a diplomatic posting. In line with the Constitution of Kenya, diplomatic practice and protocol, once the nominee receives parliamentary approval, Kenya shall formally request Agrément or acceptance by the applicable host states, including the DRC, before diplomatic posting.
In the case of Goma, the process will further require issuance of an Exequatur or authorization by the Government of DRC before Kenya’s Consul-General may assume official duties.
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What Went Wrong with the Ruto Appointee
On 15th August 2025, President Ruto reshuffled Kenya’s foreign service, redeploying ambassadors, high commissioners, and consuls to 20 missions worldwide.
Among them was the critical posting of a Consul-General to Goma.
However, on 16th August, the DRC’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a sharp response. Kinshasa expressed unease, citing a lack of prior consultations in Kenya’s decision to appoint a new envoy to Goma.
Behind the scenes, Mudavadi confirmed he has already spoken directly with his Congolese counterpart, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, to smooth tensions.
Kenya has troops, businesses, and strong peacekeeping interests in the DRC, especially in the eastern provinces.
But, Mudavadi insisted the diplomatic reshuffle was not designed to undermine the DRC or interfere with ongoing regional peace initiatives.
“The objective of this realignment is to optimize performance and enhance service delivery under Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA),”
“It is not driven by adverse geopolitics nor intended to undermine the sovereignty of any state,” he said.
Kenya currently co-chairs the EAC-SADC-AU peace process in the DRC.
Also Read: Ruto and Trump Top Diplomats Speak Again After Kenya’s DRC Evacuation Advisory
DRC’s Argument Against the Nomination
In a statement issued on Saturday, August 16, 2025, the DRC government faulted Nairobi for failing to engage in prior consultations before announcing the appointment.
Kinshasa argued that Kenya’s move runs contrary to the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (1963), which requires that the appointment of a head of a consular post be preceded by the host country’s consent and the issuance of an exequatur by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The DRC further emphasized that it expected to be formally notified of the nomination through official diplomatic channels before issuing any response.
“Kinshasa expects, therefore, to be officially notified by Nairobi through established diplomatic channels and will respond exclusively via the same channels, in accordance with rules of courtesy and mutual respect,” the statement read.
The Congolese government noted that Goma, located in the mineral-rich North Kivu Province, remains under the illegal occupation of M23 rebels backed by Rwanda.
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