Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has moved to clarify Kenya’s diplomatic process following a formal concern raised by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) over the nomination of a new Consul-General to Goma.
In a statement issued on Monday, Mudavadi emphasised that a presidential nomination does not amount to an automatic diplomatic posting, noting that the appointment must first be approved by Kenya’s Parliament and subsequently accepted by the host country.
“Once the nominee receives parliamentary approval, Kenya shall formally request for agrément or acceptance by the applicable host states, including the DRC,” said Mudavadi. “In the case of Goma, the process will further require issuance of an exequatur or authorisation by the Government of DRC before Kenya's Consul-General may assume official duties.”
The clarification follows a diplomatic protest issued by DRC’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Francophonie on August 16, one day after President William Ruto nominated Judy Kiaria Nkumiri as Kenya’s Consul-General to Goma, and Moni Manyange as Deputy Head of Mission to Kinshasa.
The DRC cited lack of prior consultation among its concerns.
Mudavadi reassured that Kenya’s recent foreign service reshuffle, which affected 20 global diplomatic posts, is aimed at enhancing service delivery under the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), not to interfere with regional diplomacy or the sovereignty of neighbouring nations.
“This re-alignment is not driven by adverse geopolitics nor intended to undermine ongoing regional peace efforts or the territorial integrity and sovereignty of any state,” he said.
He also reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to peace and stability in the region, noting its role as co-chair in the joint EAC-SADC-AU peace initiative in the DRC.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary further revealed that he has personally spoken with Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, DRC’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, to clarify Kenya’s position and reiterate its respect for the DRC’s sovereignty.
Kenya and the DRC have shared strong diplomatic relations since 1963, with resident diplomatic missions established in both Nairobi and Kinshasa as early as 1968.
Kenya launched its Consulate General in Goma in March 2022, while the DRC opened a Consulate in Mombasa in September 2023.
“May I reiterate our commitment to respecting the
sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC. Kenya and DRC are strategic
partners in several areas including trade, regional economic integration and
security,” Mudavadi stated.
