Policy notes

Kenya has to upgrade its diplomatic toolkit and strategies.

In the period between 1963 to October, 2014, Kenya’s foreign policy was derived
from the Constitution, Sessional Papers, the ruling party’s manifestos,
international treaties, agreements, conventions and charters; various national
plans, policy and legal frameworks, as well as political leadership
pronouncements. However, all these were never encapsulated into a single
written foreign policy document until November, 2014 when Kenya published her
first written foreign policy.
The promotion and safeguarding of Kenya’s National Interests are at the core of
Kenya’s Foreign Policy.

Kenya’s four National Interests

(i) Territorial Integrity, Sovereignty and Security of the citizenry:

Article 2 (4) and 5 of the Constitution of Kenya (2010) delineates and re-
affirms the indivisibility of the Kenyan territory. The Kenyan territory shall
continue to be secured and its resources sustainably harnessed and held in
trust for posterity and shared prosperity
(ii) Political Stability, Economic Growth and Shared Prosperity: Since
independence over six decades ago, Kenya’s position as a stable
democracy has entrenched the country’s credentials as a bastion of peace
and stability in the Eastern Africa region. This political stability, buttressed
by economic growth has lifted the majority of citizens from poverty into the
middle class and general prosperity for all its citizens. Kenya has
maintained the promotion of regional integration, economic and political
cooperation for a shared prosperity. Thus, Kenya’s foreign policy seeks to
expand this economic prosperity and deepen this political stability, based
on solid democratic principles and to share the prosperity thus garnered in
the region and beyond.
(iii) Protection, promotion and projection of Kenya’s image, position
and priorities abroad: This self-explanatory interest is a centrepiece of
Kenya’s continued engagement with the rest of the world through both
bilateral and multilateral frameworks further elaborated in chapter two of
this policy document.
(iv) A connected, integrated, stable and prosperous Africa: Kenya does not
exist in isolation. Her prosperity and sustainable development is predicated
on a continent that enables trade, free movement of people, goods and
services and a region enjoying efficient telecommunication and financial
interoperability. It is in Kenya’s interest that the goal of continental unity is
thereby fostered and accelerated.

Kenya’s way and her unique modus operandi in engaging with foreign relations.
The execution of Kenya’s foreign policy and the conduct of international relations
are guided by the following principles:
(i) Good neighbourliness and non-interference
(ii) Regionalism
(iii) Pan-Africanism
(iv) Humanitarianism
(v) Reciprocity
(vi) Non-alignment
(vii) Engagement with likeminded and emerging plurilateral arrangements
1.3 Policy Objectives
Kenya's foreign policy aims to enhance the country’s standing as a regional
leader and an effective advocate for Africa’s interests on the global stage. To fulfil
this aim, this Foreign Policy will pursue the following objectives:
i. Protect Kenya’s sovereignty and territorial integrity;
ii. Project, promote and protect the country’s image and prestige globally;
iii. Promote sub-regional and regional integration and plurilateral co-
operation;
iv. Enhance regional and global peace and security;
v. Advance a fair, equitable and functional rule-based multilateralism;
vi. Advance the country’s economic prosperity;
vii. Position Kenya as a leader in environmental and climate governance;
viii. Position Nairobi as a global hub for diplomacy;
ix. Enhance the voice of Kenyans in Diaspora and promote, protect their
interests and welfare abroad, and;
x. Enhance partnership with global African Diaspora.
1.4 A Review of Kenya’s Foreign Policy Developments Since
Independence
Kenya’s foreign policy has undergone significant transformation since
independence. Over the years, the national foreign policy has evolved and has
been influenced by changes in global geopolitics, technology, regional
developments, national priorities, as well as, emerging challenges. The Foreign
Policy doctrine has been defined by its dedication to good neighbourliness,
regionalism, pan-Africanism, economic and commercial dynamics, bilateralism
and multilateralism. These principles have shaped Kenya's international
engagement, thereby enabling the country to manage complex global relations
while also advancing her national interests and fostering both regional and global
stability. The evolution of the Foreign Policy has been clearly articulated in the
various manifestos of the successive political administrations. The key defining
eras of evolution of Kenya’s foreign policy that are discernible are briefly
discussed.
1.4.1 From Colonial Period to the New Millennium
First was the British colonial period during which Kenya's foreign policy was
predominantly driven by British colonial interests centred on extraction and
domination, which significantly influenced the positions taken in pursuit of
decolonization and self-determination. This was followed by the early independent
years (1963-1978) when Kenya’s primary goal was to establish itself as a
sovereign state and assert her independence on the global stage. The
administration of President Jomo Kenyatta established diplomatic relations with
diverse nations, straddling both Western and Eastern blocs which reflected a
pragmatic approach to diplomacy and aimed at securing economic cooperation,
investment, technical cooperation and human capacity development.

The next significant period of Kenya’s foreign policy was under President Daniel
Arap Moi, (1978-2002). During this period, the country underlined her
commitment to regional stability through active participation in regional
organizations. In realizing the primacy of peaceful coexistence with neighbours,
Kenya became a founding member of the Intergovernmental Authority on Drought
and Development (IGADD), established in 1986. Kenya's leadership within IGADD
highlighted her dedication to regional stability and integration. IGADD was later
restructured and transitioned into the current Inter- Governmental Authority on
Development (IGAD) in April 1996.

The end of the Cold War unleashed and disrupted governance in the continent
and led to wars, conflicts and collapse of states occasioning displacement of
persons and the refugee problem that culminated in the evolution of Kenya’s
humanitarian diplomacy, peace mediation and peace building. Additionally, during
this period the country underwent Structural Adjustments Programs (SAPs)
imposed by the Bretton Wood Institutions incentivized diversification of the
country’s relations beyond the West.
1.4.2 The Shift to Economic Diplomacy, 2000 - 2013
At the turn of the Millennium, Kenya’s foreign policy underwent a significant shift
towards economic diplomacy, emphasizing trade and investment as key drivers of
the country’s international relations. While maintaining historic ties with Western
countries, Kenya sought to deepen economic relations with emerging economies
in Asia. The “Look East Policy” became an important feature of Kenya’s Foreign
Policy which also focused on strengthening ties with other emerging economies,
including India, Indonesia, Mexico, Brazil, UAE, Qatar, and Turkey, among
others. This approach was aimed at diversifying Kenya's economic partnerships.
During the period, Kenya’s foreign policy and regional engagement strategy saw
significant transformation with a focus on revitalizing regional integration and
providing leadership in African Affairs. Kenya's participation in the EAC aimed to
promote trade, investment, and regional cooperation. The country also played a
leadership role within the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa
(COMESA), advocating for regional economic integration and cooperation. The
Regional Economic Communities (RECs) remain central in facilitating Africa’s
regional economic integration and Kenya’s role in the process was significant.
1.4.3 Era of the “First-Documented” Foreign Policy, 2013 - 2022
Kenya consolidated its Foreign Policy and published it for the first time in 2014
during the administration of President Uhuru Kenyatta. The policy outlined guiding
principles for Kenya’s diplomatic engagements and foreign relations, further
emphasizing economic diplomacy, regional integration and international
cooperation. “The Big Four Agenda” policy framework became the priorities that
guided both domestic and international engagements. The country continued with
the focus on strengthening trade and investment partnerships with other
emerging economies. At the continental level, Kenya played a leading role in the
negotiation, conclusion and adoption of the agreement establishing the African
Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), meant to create a single market for goods
and services across the African continent.
Environmental diplomacy remained a key aspect of the country’s foreign policy
with Kenya’s leadership demonstrated through the hosting of several
international conferences, among them, the Sustainable Blue Economy
Conference; the second UN Oceans Conference (co-hosted with Portugal) and the
UNEA Conference in 2022. Besides, there were engagements with the United
Nations, the African Union and other regional organizations with a successful bid
for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2021-
2022 term.

1.4.4 The National Transformation Agenda From 2022 and Beyond

In the current administration, guided by the vision of His Excellency President
William Samoei Ruto, Kenya’s foreign policy has continued to focus on economic
diplomacy, peaceful co-existence, regional integration and international solidarity
as critical guarantors of the country’s anchor role in the region. The current
Administration’s manifesto the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda
(BETA), has necessitated a significant transformation in Kenya’s economic and
foreign policy strategy. By focusing on the empowerment of the grassroots and
leveraging regional and international partnerships, BETA has delineated a
philosophy of inclusion, equity and sustainable development that now shapes
Kenya’s external relations and role as a leader in regional and global economic
affairs.