Sessional Paper No. 1 of 2025 to Anchor Kenya’s Foreign Policy

From mfa.go.ke

Dr. Musalia Mudavadi, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs has told the Senate Standing Committee on National Security, Defence, and Foreign Relations that Sessional Paper No. 1 of 2025 will anchor Kenya’s foreign policy in law, making it more citizen-centred and transparent. This he argued would be a change away from conventional, opaque international relations to a more transparent, accountable strategy that prioritised Kenyan interests. He stated that the revised policy reflected pragmatism and a long-term vision in the face of global change.

Sessional Paper No. 1 of 2025 on Kenya’s Foreign Policy seeks to ensure inclusivity in policy formulation by recognizing the critical role of various actors in shaping and advancing the country’s foreign policy; and to broaden the scope of Kenya Foreign Policy 2014 from the five pillars of peace diplomacy, economic diplomacy, environmental diplomacy, diaspora diplomacy, and cultural diplomacy to include areas such as health and technology diplomacy.  The Sessional Paper also aims to boost Diaspora and Economic diplomacy, with County governments and Kenyans living abroad playing an important role in advancing the country’s foreign policy goals.

The Cabinet Secretary further advocated for integrating the Foreign Affairs docket within the National Security Council to enhance its critical operations. On the delicate issue of Diaspora diplomacy, Dr. Mudavadi urged Parliament to assist in enacting rules that would safeguard Kenyans working abroad and provide legal aid to those imprisoned abroad. 

Equally significant, the Cabinet Secretary advocated a 70:30 ratio for ambassador nominations, with 70% reserved for career diplomats and 30% for experienced candidates.

Senator Fatuma Dullo of Isiolo chaired the Senate Standing Committee on National Security, Defence, and Foreign Relations on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.