NAIROBI - Ambassador Tom Amolo, a stalwart of Kenyan diplomacy for four decades, has transitioned into a new strategic role focusing on regional peace and security, following his recent retirement as Kenya's envoy to Germany. In a move signaling the increasing importance of institutional expertise in navigating regional crises, Amolo is now advising the Prospect Peace Institute (PPI) Africa, a Nairobi-based think tank, on conflict patterns across the Horn of Africa and emerging maritime threats in the Red Sea, it was confirmed in January 2024.

This pivot brings one of Kenya’s most seasoned foreign policy practitioners directly into the analytical fold shaping responses to instability that directly impacts Kenya's borders and economic interests. His engagement with PPI Africa, announced on January 24, 2024, involves leveraging his vast experience to contribute to “balanced and objective analyses” aimed at finding lasting solutions to the continent's security challenges.

A Distinguished Career in Service of Kenya

Amolo’s career, which began in 1983, has placed him at the center of Kenya's diplomatic engagement with key global and continental powers. Before his final posting to Berlin in March 2021, he served as Kenya's High Commissioner to major African economies including Nigeria and South Africa. These postings gave him a frontline view of the continent's diverse political and economic landscapes.

Domestically, he held the influential position of Political and Diplomatic Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Nairobi from 2015 to 2020. In this role, he was central to shaping the country's foreign policy direction and was appointed a Special Envoy for Kenya's successful campaign for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2021-2022 term. His academic credentials include degrees from the University of Nairobi and the prestigious School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University in New York.

Implications for Kenya’s Foreign Policy Pillars

Ambassador Amolo's new advisory role aligns directly with the core tenets of Kenya's official Foreign Policy, which is built on five interlinked pillars: Peace, Economic, Diaspora, Environmental, and Cultural diplomacy. His focus on conflict in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea directly supports the Peace Diplomacy pillar, which recognizes that Kenya's own stability and economic prosperity are intrinsically linked to that of its neighbors.

The discussions at PPI Africa delved into conflict hotspots that pose significant threats to Kenya's national interests. Instability in nations like Somalia, Ethiopia, and Sudan has historically led to refugee crises, cross-border security threats from extremist groups, and disruptions to regional trade. Furthermore, the security of the Red Sea, a vital maritime corridor for global trade, has direct implications for the Port of Mombasa and Kenya's ambition to be a regional logistics hub under the Vision 2030 economic blueprint.

In a May 2024 interview reflecting on his career, Ambassador Amolo highlighted the importance of economic development, drawing parallels between Germany's successful small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector—the "Mittelstand"—and Kenya's "bottom-up" economic transformation agenda. This perspective underscores the deep connection between regional stability and economic growth, a nexus that will likely inform his strategic advice on resolving conflicts to unlock economic opportunities.

The Role of Elder Statesmen in Modern Diplomacy

Amolo's transition from official state representation to a strategic advisory role at a non-governmental think tank reflects a growing global trend. Seasoned diplomats are increasingly being called upon to provide independent analysis and back-channel support for formal peace processes. Their deep institutional knowledge and extensive personal networks, built over decades of service, are invaluable assets that can operate with more flexibility than official government channels.

His extensive service, which concluded with a farewell lunch hosted by the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs on December 15, 2023, has equipped him with a unique understanding of the complex interplay between national interests, regional power dynamics, and international diplomacy. By channeling this expertise into a think tank dedicated to peace, Ambassador Amolo continues to serve Kenya's strategic interests, contributing to a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the challenges that lie ahead for the East Africa region.