Source: APO
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Dr. Musalia Mudavadi has assured Kenya’s diplomatic partners of the Government’s commitment to political stability, economic resilience, regional integration and peace and security.
Speaking during the quarterly Diplomatic Briefing in Nairobi, Dr. Mudavadi said the Government was committed to ensuring that the 10th August 2027 General Election will be safe, free and peaceful, while urging the diplomatic community to support Kenya’s constitutional institutions and democratic processes.
“The Electoral Commission should be allowed to discharge its constitutional mandate independently and professionally,” Dr. Mudavadi said, stressing that democracy is sustained by strong institutions, respect for established rules and constitutional processes.
He said the Government was strengthening inter-agency coordination to identify and address emerging threats ahead of the elections, noting that those who threaten peace and security would be held accountable in accordance with the law, regardless of their political affiliation or status.
Dr. Mudavadi said Kenya’s economy continued to demonstrate resilience, with real Gross Domestic Product growing by 5.3 per cent in the first quarter of 2026, compared with 4.9 per cent during the same period the previous year.
He said foreign exchange reserves stood at US$14.9 billion, equivalent to 6.2 months of import cover, while the Nairobi Securities Exchange had crossed KSh4 trillion in market capitalisation for the first time.
Dr. Mudavadi encouraged the diplomatic community to engage with the Kenya Development Corporation and the Nairobi International Financial Centre to strengthen connections with investors, businesses and financial institutions in their respective countries.
He said Kenya was seeking to diversify and increase value-added exports, expand trade and investment, facilitate technology transfer, advance the digital economy and strengthen local manufacturing.
Dr. Mudavadi also clarified the Government’s position on foreign nationals engaged in small-scale trade and informal retail, saying the directives announced on 2nd September 2026 were intended to protect vulnerable sectors of the economy, promote fair competition and safeguard the livelihoods of Kenyan citizens.
“Kenya is not implementing a blanket ban on foreign nationals engaging in small-scale business,” he said, noting that participation should be consistent with the East African Community Common Market Protocol and applicable national law.
He emphasised that Kenya remained open to both small- and large-scale trade by foreign nationals, provided they complied with immigration, work-permit, registration and licensing requirements.
Dr. Mudavadi further assured the diplomatic community that the Government would safeguard the rights of foreign nationals, warning that anyone who threatens or interferes with foreign nationals or their businesses would face the full force of the law.
The Cabinet Secretary reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to the African Union, East African Community, IGAD, ICGLR and the African Continental Free Trade Area, describing regional integration as a cornerstone of Kenya’s diplomacy.
He said Kenya was preparing to host the 4th COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite Summit in Nairobi, bringing together 29 countries representing more than 700 million people and a combined GDP exceeding US$1.4 trillion.
Dr. Mudavadi said Kenya continued to support the aspirations of AU Agenda 2063, including the free movement of people, capital, goods and services in accordance with applicable legal frameworks.
On diaspora engagement, Dr. Mudavadi highlighted the growing contribution of Kenyans abroad to investment, innovation, skills and expertise.
He said the Government was implementing the Diaspora Investment Strategy and establishing a Diaspora Investment Support Office to enhance engagement and unlock greater investment opportunities.
He also called for stronger international cooperation on labour market information, mutual recognition of qualifications and professional certifications, as well as technical and vocational education and training and industry-based skills development.
On peace and security, Dr. Mudavadi reiterated Kenya’s position that African challenges require African-led solutions.
He said Kenya was advocating for greater support for the African Union Peace Fund and continued to call for adequate financing for the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia.
On Sudan, he said the crisis could not be resolved through military means and required a unified and coordinated mediation process alongside a humanitarian truce.
Dr. Mudavadi also called for concerted regional and international efforts to counter terrorism and transnational crime, including preventing terrorist financing, recruitment and radicalisation.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary highlighted climate, food security and public health among emerging issues requiring closer international cooperation.
He said Kenya had experienced below-average rainfall in cereal-producing regions, with national harvest projections indicating a decline in food production. The Government was therefore strengthening preparedness, including investment in irrigation, subsidised agricultural inputs and measures to ensure adequate food supplies.
He also noted Kenya’s heightened preparedness against Ebola, including surveillance and passenger screening at major points of entry, while appreciating countries and institutions supporting Kenya’s national response.
Looking ahead, Dr. Mudavadi reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to multilateralism and international law, highlighting several major international and diplomatic engagements that Kenya will host.
These include the inaugural Global Trust Summit, scheduled for 22–23 October 2026 in Nairobi, and the inaugural Diplomatic Conference on the Provision, Administration and Management of Privileges and Immunities to the Diplomatic Community in Kenya, scheduled for 23–24 November 2026 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre.
He also sought the continued support of diplomatic partners for Kenya’s candidates for international positions, including Judge Phoebe Okowa’s candidature to the International Court of Justice and Hon. Lady Justice Njoki Ndung’u’s candidature to the International Criminal Court.
Dr. Mudavadi thanked diplomatic missions and international organisations for their continued partnership with Kenya, assuring them that the Government attaches great importance to the effective functioning of the diplomatic community.
“You remain our foremost point of contact for Kenya’s international relations,” he said, reaffirming the Government’s commitment to providing a conducive, secure and predictable environment for diplomatic engagement, investment and international cooperation.
He concluded by reaffirming Kenya’s openness to investors and international partners, positioning the country as a manufacturing base and launchpad for digital growth across Africa, while underscoring its longstanding commitment to peace, international law, human rights and democratic governance.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign & Diaspora Affairs, Kenya.
