Foreign relations of Kenya

Kenya maintains relations with various countries around the world. Its closest ties are with its fellow Swahili-speaking neighbors in the African Great Lakes region. Swahili speaking neighbours mainly include countries in the East African Community such as Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. There's also the DRC which has a significant Swahili speaking population.

Kenya's relations with other states vary. The government of Ethiopia established political links in the colonial period with Kenya's then British administration, and today it is one of several national bodies with a diplomatic presence in Nairobi. Relations with Somalia have historically been tense, although there has been some military co-ordination against insurgents.

Elsewhere, the Kenyan government has political ties with China, India, Russia, and Brazil. It also maintains relations with Western countries, particularly the United Kingdom, although political and economic instabilities are often blamed on Western activities (e.g. colonialism, paternalistic engagement, and post-colonial resource exploitation).

Africa

Country	Formal relations established	Notes
Algeria		Algeria has an embassy in Nairobi. Kenya has an embassy in Algiers.
Angola		Angola has an embassy in Nairobi. Kenya has an embassy in Luanda.
Botswana		Botswana has a high commission in Nairobi. Kenya has a high commission in Gaborone.
Burundi		Burundi is a partner of Kenya in many areas, particularly trade, security (military), education, agriculture and energy. In 2011, both countries signed a comprehensive bilateral agreement to promote development and technology transfer in agriculture, livestock and fisheries development between them. During the Burundian ethnic clashes, a significant number of Burundians took up refuge in Kenya. Burundi, along with Kenya, is one of the Swahili-speaking states in the African Great Lakes region. Burundi has an embassy in Nairobi. Kenya has an embassy in Bujumbura.
Democratic Republic of the Congo		The DRC is a strategic partner of Kenya in many areas, particularly trade and security. The peace deal between the Government of the DRC and leaders of the M23 rebellion was brokered by multiple parties and was signed in Nairobi in late 2013. M23 was routed in a UN-backed offensive by government troops. Under the deal there would be no amnesty for those wanted for war crimes. The deal was hosted by Uhuru Kenyatta, the President of Kenya.[1] By the end of 2014 both countries were to sign a Joint Commission for Cooperation. Under the agreement Kenya was to establish a consulate in Goma and DRC in Mombasa[2] The deal would help deepen trade and investment between both countries. Both countries are inhabited by significant Swahili speaking populations, Swahili is the national language in both countries. Kenya and the DRC share some cultural similarities. DR Congo has an embassy in Nairobi. Kenya has an embassy in Kinshasa.
Egypt		Egypt has an embassy in Nairobi. Kenya has an embassy in Cairo.
Ethiopia		Relations between Kenya and Ethiopia date back to 1954, when the Ethiopian authorities under Haile Selassie I established an honorary consulate general in the British Kenya Colony. In 1961, prior to Kenya's independence, Ethiopia appointed its first ambassador to Kenya, and six years later Kenya opened an embassy in Addis Ababa.[3] The border between the two countries is based on a treaty signed by Ethiopia and Kenya on 9 June 1970, which determines the present-day boundary, abrogating all previous boundary treaties. This border has been subjected to demarcation.[4] Ethiopia has an embassy in Nairobi. Kenya has an embassy in Addis Ababa.
Ghana		Ghana has a high commission in Nairobi. Kenya has a high commission in Accra.
Madagascar		Kenya does not haven an accreditation to Madagascar. Madagascar is accredited to Kenya from its embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Mozambique		Kenya is accredited to Mozambique from its embassy in Harare, Zimbabwe. Mozambique has a high commission in Nairobi.
Namibia		Kenya has a high commission in Windhoek. Namibia is accredited to Kenya from its high commission in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.
Nigeria		Kenya has a high commission in Abuja. Nigeria has a high commission in Nairobi.
Rwanda		Kenya is a partner of Rwanda in many areas, particularly trade, security (military), education, agriculture and energy. It is estimated that there are about 100,000 Rwandese immigrants in Kenya. Both countries have on multiple occasions signed various memoranda of understanding. These MOUs involve co-operative technical assistance and development between the two countries.[5] Kenya has a significant expat community in Rwanda. Kenya has a high commission in Kigali. Rwanda has a high commission in Nairobi.
Somalia		Relations between Kenya and Somalia have historically been tense. Agitations over self-determination in the Somali-inhabited Northern Frontier District culminated in the Shifta War during the 1960s.[6] Although the conflict ended in a cease-fire, Somalis in the region still identify and maintain close ties with their kin in Somalia.[7] In October 2011, a coordinated operation between the Somali military and the Kenyan military began against the Al-Shabaab group of insurgents in southern Somalia.[8][9] The mission was officially led by the Somali army, with the Kenyan forces providing a support role.[9] In early June 2012, Kenyan troops were formally integrated into AMISOM.[10] Kenya has an embassy in Mogadishu. Somalia has an embassy in Nairobi.
South Africa		Kenya has a high commission in Pretoria. South Africa has a high commission in Nairobi.
South Sudan		South Sudan is a strategic partner of Kenya in many areas. Both countries have cultural similarities as many people from South Sudan lived in Kenya before independence. Kenya is said to have contributed a to South Sudan's independence. The Machakos Protocol signed in Kenya in 2002 saw a ceasefire signed between Sudan and the Southern Sudanese. It was the first of many agreements that led to the creation of Southern Sudan autonomous region which later on led to the independence of South Sudan in 2011. During the independence movement leaders of the freedom movement lived in Kenya. At the peak of the second Sudanese civil war Kenya hosted about 100,000 South Sudanese people.[11] Kenya has an embassy in Juba. South Sudan has an embassy in Nairobi.
Sudan		Kenya has an embassy in Khartoum. Sudan has an embassy in Nairobi.
Tanzania		Tanzania is a partner of Kenya in many areas, particularly trade, security (military), education, agriculture and energy. The first high commissions of Kenya in Tanzania and vice versa were opened after the independence of Kenya. However, after the breakup of the EAC in 1977, both countries severed diplomatic ties. The breakup of the first EAC which was founded in 1967 was brought about by ideological differences between Tanzania and Kenya. As it was during the cold war African countries were making decisions on whether to become socialist or capitalist. Kenya's leader Kenyatta was intent on making sure that Kenya wouldn't become socialist and Kenya stuck to capitalism. Tanzania on the other hand championed for Ujamaa, a major African socialist policy.[12] Tanzania and Kenya resumed diplomatic ties in 1983.[13] By that time, a lot of factors were slowing the idea of Ujamaa in Tanzania among them the war with Uganda and many other social factors. Today both countries enjoy healthy relations. Both countries are inhabited by the world's largest Swahili speaking populations, Swahili is the official and national language in both countries. Kenya and Tanzania share a lot of cultural similarities. Kenya has a high commission in Dar-es-Salaam. Tanzania has a high commission in Nairobi and a consulate-general in Mombasa.
Uganda		The two East African Community countries are partners in many areas, particularly in the trade, infrastructure, security (military), education, agriculture and energy sectors. From 1961 to 1965, the two states along with Tanzania were united in the East African Common Services Organisation, a common market with a loose federal structure.[14] Kenya and Uganda were also founding members of the original East African Community (EAC), which later collapsed due to ideological differences and territorial disputes within itself. On 7 July 2000, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania reestablished the EAC. It has contributed a great deal in improving trade and overall relations between Kenya and Uganda. The countries are both inhabited by significant Swahili-speaking populations, and share significant cultural similarities. Kenya has a high commission in Kampala. Uganda has a high commission in Nairobi.
Zambia		Kenya has a high commission in Lusaka. Zambia has a high commission in Nairobi.
Zimbabwe		Kenya has an embassy in Harare. Zimbabwe has an embassy in Nairobi.

Americas

Country	Formal relations established	Notes
Argentina		Argentina has an embassy in Nairobi. Kenya is accredited to Argentina from its embassy in Brasília, Brazil.
Barbados		During Prime Minister's Mottley's visit in late 2019 she opened the CARICOM office in Nairobi, Kenya which will be a joint diplomatic mission for Caribbean countries.[15]
Brazil		Brazil has an embassy in Nairobi. Kenya has an embassy in Brasília.
Canada		Canada has a high commission in Nairobi.[16] Kenya has a high commission in Ottawa.[17]
Chile		Chile has an embassy in Nairobi. Kenya is accredited to Chile from its embassy in Brasília, Brazil.
Colombia		Colombia has an embassy in Nairobi. Kenya is accredited to Colombia from its embassy in Brasília, Brazil.
Costa Rica		Costa Rica has an embassy in Nairobi. Kenya does not have an accreditation to Costa Rica.
Cuba		Cuba has an embassy in Nairobi. Kenya has an embassy in Havana.
Guyana	December 1970	Both countries established diplomatic relations in December 1970.[18] Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations.
Jamaica	1976	Jamaica and Kenya established relations in 1976.[19] President Kenyatta made a state visit in August 2019. He met and held talks with Prime Minister Holness. Kenyatta was the main guest for the celebration of the 57th Independence Day Jamaica.[20] Both leaders (Holness and Kenyatta) also launched the celebrations to mark the International Decade for People of African Descent.[21] Jamaica is accredited to Kenya from its high commission in Pretoria, South Africa. Kenya is accredited to Jamaica from its embassy in Havana, Cuba.
Mexico	15 March 1977	Kenya is represented in Mexico from its embassy in Washington, DC.[22] Mexico has an embassy in Nairobi.[23]
United States	12 December 1963	After Kenya's independence on 12 December 1963, the United States immediately recognized the new nation and moved to establish diplomatic relations. The embassy in Nairobi was opened on 12 December 1963. Kenya has an embassy in Washington, DC and consulates-general in Los Angeles and New York City.[22] United States has an embassy in Nairobi.[24]
Venezuela		Kenya is accredited to Venezuela from its embassy in Brasília, Brazil. Venezuela has an embassy in Nairobi.

Asia

Country	Formal relations established	Notes
Armenia		Both countries established diplomatic relations on 13 July 1993.
Azerbaijan	28 May 2004[25]	Main Article: Azerbaijan-Kenya relations Diplomatic relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of  Kenya were established on May 28, 2004.[26] Cooperation between the two countries covers such areas as tourism, science, education, and so on.[27]
Bangladesh		Both countries established diplomatic relations on 13 July 1993.
China		Chinese-Kenyan relations date back to 14 December 1963, two days after the formal establishment of Kenyan independence, when China became the fourth country to open an embassy in Nairobi.[28] Military exchange between the two countries has been increasing in the past decade. General Liu Jingsong, commander of the Lanzhou Military Region, led China's first military delegation to Kenya in December 1996; Major General Nick Leshan, commander of the Kenyan air force, paid a return visit in 1997.[29] Kenyan president Mwai Kibaki visited Beijing in August 2005.[30] China has an embassy in Nairobi. Kenya has an embassy in Beijing.
Indonesia		Indonesia has a resident embassy in Nairobi. Kenya is represented in Indonesia through its High Commission in Kuala Lumpur.
India		India has a High Commission in Nairobi. Kenya has a High Commission in New Delhi.
Iran		Iran has an embassy in Nairobi. Kenya has an embassy in Tehran.
Israel		Israel has an embassy in Nairobi.[31] Kenya has an embassy in Tel Aviv.[32]
Japan		Japan has an embassy in Nairobi. Kenya has an embassy in Tokyo.
Malaysia		Kenya has a high commission in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia has a high commission in Nairobi.
Oman		Kenya has an embassy in Muscat. Oman has an embassy in Nairobi.
Pakistan		Relations between Pakistan and Kenya were established in the 1960s, when Pakistan expressed its support for Kenya in obtaining independence from British rule. Ever since, relations between the two nations have been warm; with both countries having had discussed previously in the Pakistan-Kenya Joint Ministerial Commission session which was hosted in Nairobi in 2004, about boosting bilateral trade and economic relations.[33] Kenya has a high commission in Islamabad. Pakistan has a high commission in Nairobi.
Philippines		The Philippines and Kenya have forged a historic agreement to strengthen ties between both countries. Under a Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation(JCBC)[34] Kenya is accredited to the Philippines from its embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. the Philippines has an embassy in Nairobi.
Qatar		Kenya has an embassy in Doha. Qatar has an embassy in Nairobi.
Saudi Arabia		Kenya has an embassy in Riyadh.[35] Saudi Arabia has an embassy in Nairobi.[36]
South Korea	7 February 1964[37]	Diplomatic relations between the South Korea and Kenya were established on 7 February 1964.[37]
Turkey	1963[38]	Kenya has an embassy in Ankara.[39] Turkey has an embassy in Nairobi.[40] Trade volume between the two countries was 234 million USD in 2019.[41] There are direct flights from Istanbul to Nairobi since 20 February 2009.[42]
United Arab Emirates		Kenya has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate-general in Dubai. United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Nairobi.

Europe

Country	Formal relations established	Notes
Austria		Austria has an embassy in Nairobi. Kenya has an embassy in Vienna.
Belgium		Belgium has an embassy in Nairobi. Kenya has an embassy in Brussels.
Denmark		Denmark has an embassy in Nairobi. Kenya is accredited to Denmark from its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.
Finland		Finland has an embassy in Nairobi. Kenya is accredited to Finland from its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.
France		France has an embassy in Nairobi. Kenya has an embassy in Paris.
Germany		Germany has an embassy in Nairobi. Kenya has an embassy in Berlin.
Greece		Greece has an embassy in Nairobi and an honorary consulate in Mombasa. Kenya is accredited to Greece from its embassy in Rome, Italy and maintains an honorary consulate in Athens. Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Kenya Consulate of the Republic of Kenya in Hellenic Republic
Ireland		Ireland has an embassy in Nairobi. Kenya has an embassy in Dublin.
Italy		Italy has an embassy in Nairobi. Kenya has an embassy in Rome.
Netherlands		Kenya has an embassy in The Hague. Netherlands has an embassy in Nairobi.
Norway		Kenya is accredited to Norway from its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden. Norway has an embassy in Nairobi.
Portugal		Russia has an embassy in Nairobi. Kenya is represented in Portugal through its embassy in Paris .
Poland	13 December 1963	Kenya is accredited to Poland from its embassy in Rome, Italy. Poland has an embassy in Nairobi.
Russia		Russia has an embassy in Nairobi. Kenya has an embassy in Moscow.
Spain		Kenya has an embassy in Madrid. Spain has an embassy in Nairobi.
Sweden		Kenya has an embassy in Stockholm. Sweden has an embassy in Nairobi.
United Kingdom		In 1895, Britain established the East Africa Protectorate (British East Africa), centred in present-day Kenya and the larger African Great Lakes region. Four years later, the British founded the settlement of Nairobi as a simple rail depot on the railway linking Mombasa to Uganda.[43] The town quickly grew to become the capital of British East Africa in 1905, with Lieutenant Colonel J. Hayes Sadler as the first governor and commander in chief. In 1920, the East Africa Protectorate was transformed into a British crown colony, the Kenya Colony. In 1952, the present Queen, Elizabeth II, ascended the throne while visiting Kenya on her and the Duke of Edinburgh's tour of the British Empire and Commonwealth. Two years later, Britain founded the Nairobi Securities Exchange as a voluntary association of stockbrokers in the European community registered under the Societies Act. Kenya was granted independence in 1963, and relations with Britain have remained constant. Kenya is a part of the Commonwealth of Nations, a successor to the empire which aims to promote mutual co-operation, democracy and other cultural values and ties with each member state. Kenya has a high commission in London.[44] the United Kingdom has a high commission in Nairobi.[45]

Oceania

Country	Formal relations established	Notes
Australia		Australia has a high commission in Nairobi. Kenya has a high commission in Canberra.
New Zealand		Kenya is accredited to New Zealand from its high commission in Canberra. New Zealand is accredited to Kenya from its embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Kenya and the Commonwealth of Nations

Kenya has been a member state of the Commonwealth of Nations since 1963, when it became independent. The nation became a Commonwealth republic in 1964.

Kenya is also a member of the UN and hosts the UN Office in Nairobi, which is the UN Headquarters in Africa.[46] The office was established in 1996.

See also

• List of diplomatic missions of Kenya
• List of diplomatic missions in Kenya
• List of presidential trips made by Uhuru Kenyatta

References

1. . DR Congo government 'signs deal with M23 in Kenya Retrieved on 7 January 2015.
2. . Kenya, DR Congo to open consulates to boost trade Retrieved on 7 January 2015.
3. "Ethiopia – Kenya relations" Archived 25 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine, Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (accessed 9 October 2009)
4. "Ethiopia – Kenya Boundary" Archived 18 March 2009 at the Wayback Machine, U.S. State Department International Boundary Study, No. 152 – 15 October 1975
5. Rwanda and Kenya to strengthen cooperation. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
6. Rhoda E. Howard, Human Rights in Commonwealth Africa, (Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.: 1986), p.95
7. Godfrey Mwakikagile, Kenya: identity of a nation, (Godfrey Mwakikagile: 2007), p.79.
8. "Somalia government supports Kenyan forces' mission". Standardmedia.co.ke. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012.
9. Joint Communique – Operation Linda Nchi
10. "Kenya: Defense Minister appointed as acting Internal Security Minister". Garowe Online. 19 June 2012. Archived from the original on 30 November 2012. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
11. . South Sudan and Kenya: The Relationships Retrieved on 5 January 2015.
12. Fred Oluoch Lest we forget: What killed the first EAC marriage The EastAfrican 2 November 2013. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
13. Kenya Tanzania Relations. Retrieved 20 January 2015. Archived January 7, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
14. East Africa Living Encyclopedia: Kenya - Foreign Relations
15. "Barbados PM opens CARICOM office in Kenya". wicnews.com. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
16. High Commission of Canada in Nairobi (in English and French)
17. High Commission of Kenya in Ottawa
19. . Press Statement by The Prime Minister of Jamaica The Most Honourable Andrew Holness. Retrieved on 15 August 2019.
20. . President of Kenya to Celebrate Jamaica’s 57th Independence. Retrieved on 15 August 2019.
21. . Kenyatta, Jamaican PM mark International Decade for People of African Descent. Retrieved on 15 August 2019.
22. Embassy of Kenya in Washington, DC
23. Embassy of Mexico in Nairobi (in Spanish)
24. US embassy in Nairobi Archived 27 April 2006 at the Wayback Machine
25. "Kenya". mfa.gov.az. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
26. "Kenya". mfa.gov.az. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
27. Azvision.az. "Kenya keen on cooperation with Azerbaijan".
28. "Kenya, China Mark 40-year Diplomatic Ties". Xinhua News Agency. 11 December 2003. Retrieved 6 November 2007.
29. "Kenya: Bilateral Relations". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China. 12 October 2003. Retrieved 6 November 2007.
30. "China to promote cooperation with Kenya: Chinese premier". People's Daily. 19 August 2005. Retrieved 7 November 2007.
31. Israeli embassy in Nairobi
32. Kenyan embassy in Tel Aviv
33. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 14 June 2011. Retrieved 2009-07-12.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
34. In the full history find out wiki page on Foreign relations of the Philippines
35. Embassy of Kenya in Riyadh
36. Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Nairobi (in Arabic and English)
37. http://www.mofa.go.kr/ENG/countries/middleeast/countries/20070804/1_24494.jsp?menu=m_30_50
38. "Relations between Turkey and Kenya".
39. "Relations between Turkey and Kenya".
40. "Relations between Turkey and Kenya".
41. "Relations between Turkey and Kenya".
42. "Relations between Turkey and Kenya".
43. Roger S. Greenway, Timothy M. Monsma, Cities: missions' new frontier, (Baker Book House: 1989), p.163.
44. High Commission of Kenya in London
45. High Commission of the United Kingdom in Nairobi
46. "Welcome to the United Nations Office at Nairobi | The United Nations Office at Nairobi". www.unon.org. Archived from the original on 25 February 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2018.

External links

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Permanent Mission of Kenya to the United Nations
• United States Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya

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•  This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Department of State website https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/. (U.S. Bilateral Relations Fact Sheets)