The Diplomatic Balancing Act

NAIROBI – Kenya's diplomatic service is at a critical juncture, caught between the long-standing tradition of using ambassadorial posts as political rewards and a growing demand for a professional corps capable of navigating complex global challenges. A recent push by the government to overhaul the appointment process, aiming to reserve a significant majority of foreign postings for career diplomats, has intensified the debate over the criteria used to select the nation's top envoys. This move follows persistent criticism from foreign policy experts and lawmakers that the practice of appointing political allies, some with limited diplomatic experience, undermines Kenya's foreign policy objectives and demoralizes professional foreign service officers.

The discussion gained new urgency following a series of diplomatic appointments by President William Ruto's administration. These appointments, intended to advance the country's Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) on the world stage, have included a mix of seasoned diplomats and former politicians. For instance, the nomination of former Cabinet Secretary for Labour, Florence Bore, as High Commissioner to Namibia in August 2025, and her subsequent vetting in September, highlighted this trend. While proponents argue that former ministers bring valuable executive experience, critics question whether such appointments prioritize political loyalty over the specialized skills required for modern diplomacy.

Parliament's Scrutiny and a System Under Review

Under the Constitution, all ambassadorial nominees must be vetted and approved by the National Assembly's Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations. This parliamentary oversight is a crucial check on executive appointment powers. Recent vetting sessions, chaired by Belgut MP Nelson Koech, have seen nominees rigorously questioned on their understanding of foreign policy, economic diplomacy, and their plans to advance Kenya's interests abroad. During the September 2025 vetting process, nominees like Anthony Muchiri (Ankara) and Lucy Kiruthu (Bangkok) were pressed on specific issues such as trade imbalances and the welfare of the Kenyan diaspora.

However, the vetting process has also exposed systemic weaknesses. Concerns have been raised about nominees lacking fundamental diplomatic knowledge and facing integrity questions. Furthermore, the public rejection of appointments by some nominees, such as former West Mugirango MP Vincent Kemosi and former ICT Cabinet Secretary Margaret Nyambura Ndung'u, has embarrassed the executive and prompted calls for better pre-nomination consultation. The committee has criticized the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Head of Public Service for forwarding names of individuals who may not have been consulted or were not interested in the roles, a practice that Committee Chair Nelson Koech described as an embarrassment to the country and the President.

The Case for Professionalism

In response to these mounting concerns, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi announced in April 2025 that the government is developing a sessional paper that will reserve at least 70 percent of all foreign mission postings for career diplomats. This proposed policy aims to restore integrity and professionalism to the foreign service, ensuring that Kenya's representatives possess the requisite skills in negotiation, international law, and cultural nuance. Proponents of this reform, including National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed, argue that prioritizing career diplomats is essential for their career progression and morale, which is often damaged when top posts are given to political appointees.

Foreign policy analysts contend that the caliber of a country's envoys is a direct reflection of its foreign policy seriousness. Key diplomatic missions in global capitals like Washington D.C., London, and Geneva require individuals with deep institutional knowledge to effectively advocate for Kenya's economic and security interests. The chronic underfunding of Kenyan missions abroad further complicates the work of envoys, a challenge that nominees have repeatedly asked Parliament to address to enable them to effectively market the country. As Kenya seeks to strengthen its position as a regional powerhouse and a significant player on the global stage, the selection of its diplomats remains a matter of profound national interest, balancing political imperatives with the undeniable need for professional competence.