NAIROBI, KENYA — Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, H.E. Dr. Musalia Mudavadi, has issued a firm assurance to the international diplomatic corps regarding the nation’s political stability, economic resilience, and unyielding commitment to regional security.
Speaking during the quarterly Diplomatic Briefing at the Serena Hotel in Nairobi, Dr. Mudavadi outlined Kenya’s key strategic priorities as the country positions itself as the continent’s primary economic, diplomatic, and security hub while preparing for the August 10, 2027 General Election.
Addressing ambassadors, high commissioners, and representatives of international organizations, Mudavadi emphasized Kenya’s focus on safeguarding democratic institutions, scaling economic partnerships, clarifying trade regulations, and championing African-led peace initiatives.
Addressing the upcoming 2027 elections, Mudavadi reiterated the government’s commitment to delivering a safe, free, and credible electoral process. He urged foreign partners to support Kenya’s constitutional mechanisms and cautioned against premature skepticism regarding state institutions.
“The Electoral Commission must be allowed to discharge its constitutional mandate independently and professionally. We should not seek to discredit the Commission,” Mudavadi stated.
He highlighted the launch of the Uchaguzi Bila Noma roadmap by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to mitigate political violence, promising that security agencies would hold violators accountable regardless of political status.
Painting a buoyant picture of the national economy, Mudavadi disclosed that Kenya achieved a 5.3% real GDP growth rate in the first quarter of 2026, up from 4.9% during the same period in 2025.
Key economic indicators highlighted during the briefing include:
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Foreign Exchange Reserves: US$14.9 billion (equivalent to 6.2 months of import cover).
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Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE): Market capitalization officially crossed the historic KSh 4 trillion milestone.
To sustain this momentum, the Prime CS called on foreign missions to engage directly with the Kenya Development Corporation (KDC) and the Nairobi International Financial Centre (NIFC). He urged international partners to leverage public-private partnerships (PPPs) through the National Infrastructure Fund and the Sovereign Wealth Fund to drive manufacturing, value-added exports, and digital infrastructure expansion.
Addressing international questions regarding President William Ruto’s recent directives affecting local retail sectors, Mudavadi clarified that Kenya is not enforcing a blanket ban on foreign nationals operating small businesses.
Describing the measures as regulatory rather than discriminatory, Mudavadi assured the diplomatic corps that foreign entrepreneurs are welcome to engage in both small- and large-scale trade, provided they adhere strictly to local immigration, work-permit, and licensing requirements.
Reaffirming Kenya’s foreign policy commitment to the African Union (AU), East African Community (EAC), IGAD, ICGLR, and the AfCFTA, Mudavadi announced that Nairobi will host the upcoming 4th COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite Summit. The combined regional blocks represent over 700 million people and a collective GDP exceeding US$1.4 trillion.
Demonstrating leadership within the continent’s governance structures, Mudavadi announced Kenya’s voluntary transition to Tier One of the AU scale of assessment, which will elevate the country’s annual financial contribution to the continental body to approximately US$14.6 million starting in 2027.
On regional stability, Mudavadi reaffirmed Kenya’s stance that African challenges require African-led solutions:
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Somalia: Called for robust financing for the AU Support and Stabilisation Mission (AUSSOM) under UN Resolution 2719.
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Sudan: Insisted the conflict cannot be resolved militarily, urging a coordinated mediation framework alongside an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.
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Red Sea & Middle East: Highlighted risks to global supply chains, reiterating Kenya’s backing of freedom of navigation under international law.
Turning to domestic initiatives, Mudavadi spotlighted the role of the Kenyan diaspora as a primary engine for investment and skills transfer. The government is formalizing a dedicated Diaspora Investment Strategy alongside a new Diaspora Investment Support Office to facilitate cross-border capital and talent movement.
Addressing domestic challenges, Mudavadi warned that below-average rainfall in cereal-producing zones has caused harvest projections to drop by 30% to 40% this year. The government is intervening through subsidized fertilizer, certified seed distribution, expanded irrigation schemes, and contingency maize imports to cushion against supply shocks.
Concurrently, Kenya is driving negotiations for a regional Protocol on Drought Management to attract adaptation funding. On public health, Mudavadi confirmed that Kenya remains Ebola-free, maintaining heightened surveillance and screening protocols across major points of entry, including Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
Closing the briefing, Mudavadi invited global delegations to two major events hosted in Nairobi later this year:
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Global Trust Summit: October 22–23, 2026
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Diplomatic Conference on Privileges and Immunities: November 23–24, 2026
He also rallied international backing for key judicial candidatures, including Judge Phoebe Okowa’s bid for the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and Justice Njoki Ndung’u’s nomination to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
“Kenya is a country that honours its commitments. We respect international law, uphold human rights, and defend the rule of law,” Mudavadi concluded, reaffirming Nairobi’s commitment to offering a secure and predictable environment for international diplomatic missions.
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