Arnaud Suquet, outgoing French ambassador to Kenya
Arnaud Suquet is not an ordinary envoy – he is a spectacle.
The outgoing French ambassador to Kenya wore many hats, and he leaves behind a legacy for the books.
Appointed to the post in 2022, Suquet also served as the French ambassador to Somalia and the Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Nairobi.
Born on November 12, 1976, Suquet endeared himself to Kenya and its people during his four-year tenure, learning Swahili along the way, as well as a bit of Sheng.
He said that although learning Swahili was challenging, mastering Sheng — the urban slang popular among Kenyan youth — proved even more difficult.
Sheng is a hybrid language that blends Swahili and English while also borrowing words from Kenya's ethnic languages and other foreign languages.
"Learning Kiswahili wasn't rahisi but it has been a memorable journey. Kiswahili has given me the chance to learn more about this country and strengthen the urafiki between France and Kenya. Sheng bado najikaza," he said on X.
In his farewell message, Suquet said he learned Swahili by reading children's books, which, according to him, are excellent for learning animal vocabulary that comes in handy during game drives.
He said he later transitioned to real-life conversations in Swahili with his teacher, Kings, which proved just as exciting.
"I particularly enjoyed the meanings of methalis that carry a lot of wisdom. Take this one, for instance: Akili ni nywele, kila mtu ana zake! I was reassured that the proverb still works even if you are bald!," he said.
"However, one frustration still remains; my command of Sheng is still pretty shaky. Learning Sheng was a whole different experience. It’s a language that keeps evolving."
In a previous interview, Suquet said his love for travelling was one of the reasons he chose a career in diplomacy.
A seasoned diplomat, he dedicated his career to advancing international cooperation, sustainable development and peace across Africa and Europe.
Before his appointment to Kenya in 2022, he held senior diplomatic roles in Sudan, Ethiopia and at the Permanent Representation of France to the European Union.
He also served as Political Adviser to the European Union Special Representative for the Horn of Africa.
Educated at Sciences Po Aix-en-Provence, Suquet is recognised for fostering partnerships that promote resilience, climate action and inclusive growth across the region.
As part of his ambassadorial assignment, he was tasked with promoting France's foreign policy and strengthening bilateral relations with Kenya and Somalia in the political, economic, cultural, scientific and security spheres.
From his office at the Embassy of France in Kenya and Somalia, located at Peponi Gardens off Peponi Road in Nairobi, he also oversaw diplomatic engagements between France and the two East African nations.
His love for Kenya and the Swahili language is unmistakable, as evidenced by his support for and association with Swahilipot Hub, a non-profit organisation in Mombasa that empowers young people by providing a safe space to learn, connect and build careers.
The organisation hosted a farewell event in his honour on July 8 to celebrate what it described as a remarkable partnership built on collaboration, innovation and a shared commitment to empowering young people and communities.
"Asante sana Swahilipothub kwa sherehe hii ya kuondoka! I could not have got a better farewell! Great partnership that needs to be reinforced further. Always rewarding to engage candidly with the young ppl of Mombasa," he said.
In his farewell message, Suquet said he was leaving Kenya, but the country would forever remain close to his heart.
"As I prepare to bid Kenya farewell, I have come to realise some places never truly leave us. For me, Kenya has been one of those places," he said.
"I will dearly miss this city's welcoming charm and vibrant urban culture. Nairobi ni home!"
