Weta calls for fast-tracking of Foreign Policy review

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has asked the Committee of Defence and Foreign Relations to fast-track the review of the recently re-launched Kenya Foreign Policy document.

In a communication to the House on Thursday, Wetang’ula, a one-time Foreign Affairs minister, urged the committee to review and table the reviewed policy “as a matter of priority” and submit it to the House as soon as possible for adoption.

The policy was tabled on Thursday by deputy leader of Majority Owen Baya.

“Honourable members, you will agree with me that the primacy of foreign policy in guiding a country’s international relations cannot be gainsaid… Since this policy will guide the country’s conduct in international affairs, its expedited approval by this House is necessary,” Wetang’ula said, adding that he prepared the first Kenyan foreign policy when he served as the Foreign minister during the Kibaki administration.

He said in the policy, he placed Kenyan athletes at the centre as the number one ambassadors worldwide, ensuring Kenya’s national anthem is played in capitals across the world where sports are conducted.

“I also prioritised the diaspora in our foreign policy,” he said.

Committee on Defence and Foreign Relations chairman Nelson Koech (Belgut) told the Star the policy had been tabled and now before his team but didn’t indicate when they would table the committee report after the review.

The reviewed Kenya Foreign Policy 2024 was launched in December, seeking to “promote and protect Kenya’s interests and image on the global stage through a forward-thinking and innovative approach to diplomacy”.

The Cabinet approved the policy on January 21, 2025, clearing the way for tabling and adoption by the House.

The Foreign Affairs ministry has described the policy as tailored to advance Kenya’s standing as an influential regional player and advocate for Africa’s interests globally.

For effective implementation, the ministry says the Foreign Service Act, 2021, will be amended, new regulations developed and a Sessional Paper tabled before Parliament.

President William Ruto’s foreword on the Sessional Paper No 1 on the Foreign Policy of the Republic of Kenya notes that it presents Parliament with an opportunity for robust debate on the policy and strengthening the implementation of the foreign policy through the required legislation.

The reviewed policy has updated the five pillars of the 2014 document—peace diplomacy, economic diplomacy, diaspora diplomacy, environmental diplomacy, and cultural diplomacy—to seven focus areas.

These are peace and security diplomacy, economic and commercial diplomacy, social cultural diplomacy, diaspora diplomacy, digital diplomacy, environmental and climate diplomacy, and global governance and multilateral diplomacy.

While there is not much departure from the 2014 document, the new policy details the sectors under the focus areas, listing, among other sectors, trade and investment, sustainable blue economy and maritime, tourism, creative economy, and transformation of Kenya Missions Abroad to Economic Hubs under the Economic and Commercial Diplomacy focus area.

It also acknowledges emerging trends in 21st diplomatic practices such as parliamentary diplomacy, digital and cyberspace diplomacy, global health diplomacy, maritime issues and blue economy, as well as conference diplomacy.

The policy lists its nine key national interests as territorial integrity, sovereignty, and security of the citizenry; political stability, economic growth, and prosperity; constitutionalism and rule of law; national values and principles of governance; environmental sustainability and climate action.

The others are strategic regional leadership and global competitiveness and collaboration; peaceful coexistence; resolution of conflict through peaceful means and thought leadership.