How Kenya's foreign policy shapes our daily lives

 

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi makes his remarks during the swearing in of Prof. Kithure Kindiki as the Third Deputy President of Kenya at KICC on Friday November 01, 2024. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

To the naked eye, foreign policy and international relations might seem inconsequential to the daily lives of Kenyan citizens. Yet, every handshake, every diplomatic engagement, every statement made on the global stage, directly impacts each of us. Foreign policy permeates all sectors of our lives and this is why our foreign policy should be people-centred and based on the tenets of open governance and open diplomacy.

Kenya's foreign policy has shaped the nation over the past 60 years, transforming our economy, safeguarding our security, expanding cultural ties and advancing our environmental goals. At its core, the remit of foreign policy is about projecting, promoting and protecting Kenya's national and strategic interests. A strong foreign policy means a stronger Kenya that is respected, prosperous and resilient in an ever-changing world.

When Kenya engages with other countries, it shapes a reality that ripples across our daily lives. We are not a geopolitical island; what happens in our relations with China, the European Union, the United States, the East Africa Community and other partners reflects in our wallets and our daily cares.

Our foreign policy is broadly anchored on Economic, Security, Culture and Environment strategic interests. These interlinked pillars directly shape opportunities, safety and prosperity for every Kenyan.

Granted, when scholarships are offered to Kenyan students, that is foreign policy at work. When concessional loans from international partners are funding critical infrastructure, that is diplomacy in action. When trade agreements reduce tariffs on Kenyan exports, our businesses benefit, while we, as citizens, pay less for imported goods. Cheaper loans mean that Kenya is able to finance development projects at a lower cost, helping us build a resilient economy.

This underscores the need to break away from a past where our foreign policy has been detached and actually foreign to the Kenyans. Through a robust and extensive public participation, we are taking foreign policy to the people so as to ensure that we move along with Kenyans in our foreign affairs.

Kenya's geostrategic location in the Horn of Africa positions it as a pivotal player in regional security. Our strategic interests are rooted in the basic understanding that a peaceful neighbourhood creates room for trade, investment and prosperity. This is also a key enabler of free movement of labour, goods, services and capital. Kenya continues to play its decades-long role of being a stabilising force in the region and supporting peace processes at the intra and inter-state levels.

Imagine the thousands of Kenyans who trade with Somalia, Uganda, Tanzania and other neighbours, and who rely on secure borders and regional partnerships to grow their businesses. These are real livelihoods and real families that our foreign policy endeavours to safeguard, regardless of the government of the day.

Foreign policy is also about promoting and strengthening people-to-people relationships, allowing trans-boundary collaboration across cultures. Through partnerships with nations worldwide, we have seen growth in cultural exchanges and educational opportunities.

These cultural ties deepen our shared humanity, allowing Kenyans to work, study and trade across borders. As the world gradually shrinks into a global village, and the global landscape continues to evolve, this is an opportune time to showcase the richness of Kenyan culture while embracing the diversity of others.

We are acutely aware of climate change and environmental challenges, and our foreign policy reflects this. Through global partnerships, we advocate for environmental sustainability and increased financing for green growth initiatives. Kenya is an active leader in international efforts geared towards finding solutions to the Triple Planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste.

Today, millions of Kenyans live and work abroad, contributing to both their host countries and Kenya. These Kenyans in the diaspora play an integral role in advancing our foreign policy objectives. From the technological and knowledge transfer to the remittances and the investments they bring; our diaspora community is a critical part of our nation building. As our global ambassadors, they play twin roles; they elevate Kenya’s standing internationally and drive economic growth here at home.

Bottomline, every Kenyan has a stake in our foreign policy, which helps create a nation that is respected, resilient and ready for the emerging and future challenges. In the long run, it is more than diplomacy; it is about creating tangible benefits for our people and building a nation that stands proudly on the global stage. With every partnership we forge and every relationship we strengthen, we are shaping a future where Kenya is both a leader in the region and a respected player on the world stage.

Thus, as we look at the evolving nature of global affairs characterised by rapid globalisation, increasing interdependence, regional integration and new security challenges, our vision remains clear: “A peaceful, prosperous and globally competitive Kenya.” It is the foundation of a strategy to project, promote and protect our interests, livelihoods and aspirations.