Foreign policy review to capture global shifts

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi at a past function. [File, Standard]

A stakeholders’ validation forum on the draft foreign policy will be held Monday following weeks of engagement with various entities to enhance the document.

The process, led by the State Department for Foreign Affairs, aims to review Kenya’s 2014 Foreign Policy, culminating in a sessional paper for adoption by Parliament.

In a public notice, the department stated that the collaborative approach ensures the policy reflects diverse perspectives and national interests, enhancing the quality and effectiveness of the final document.

“The Kenya Foreign Policy document has been made available on the official website to invite public participation and stakeholder engagement. We encourage all interested parties to review the draft and provide valuable feedback,” the notice reads.

The Ministry seeks to incorporate views and amendments into the 2014 policy to create a people-centred draft adaptable to emerging global issues and the evolving geopolitical landscape.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, also the Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary, has held discussions with various groups on the draft, emphasising that foreign policy is no longer the sole domain of diplomats and political leaders.

“We aim to take Kenya’s foreign policy from the corridors of the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs to the public. Our goal is a policy paper owned by Kenyans,” he said in a prior engagement.

Mudavadi stressed the importance of collaboration with Parliament as a key government arm and a representative of the people. He noted that many amendments to the 2014 policy require parliamentary input to reflect Kenyans’ aspirations.

“We can’t leave it hanging. Since many initiatives need Parliament’s involvement, its role will remain crucial even after the final draft is launched. Parliament must ratify the sessional paper on Kenya’s foreign policy,” he said.

Mudavadi recently met with the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations where he emphasised the evolution of national interests and diplomatic engagements, underscoring the timeliness of the review.

Parliament, he reiterated, has a solemn duty to ensure Kenya adopts a comprehensive, coherent, and contextually relevant foreign policy framework. “Our collaboration with Parliament—through treaty ratifications, budgetary oversight, legislative input, and vetting of key diplomatic appointments—forms the cornerstone of this review process. This partnership is invaluable in crafting a policy that reflects the nation’s aspirations and priorities,” he said.

He also called on Parliament to help define Kenya’s key foreign policy pillars, ensuring they strengthen the country’s global position. Mudavadi highlighted the need for transparency in international engagements and equitable opportunities. He also stressed the importance of addressing critical issues, such as diplomatic appointment frameworks, prioritising career diplomats over political appointees, and incorporating young cadets into diplomatic service.