Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Daily Nation
Published on 2024-02-17 08:37:53
Many Kenyans may not fully understand the role and functions of the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs (MFDA) and in some cases, they may not even be aware of its existence. This lack of awareness can be attributed to the ministry’s failure to effectively manage and communicate Kenya’s global foreign relations.
The Constitution of Kenya identifies foreign affairs and foreign policy as a national government function under the Fourth Schedule. Additionally, Executive Order No. 1 of June 2018 lists 20 functions for the ministry, indicating its importance in the country’s governance structure.
Among the most crucial functions of the MFDA are the management of Kenya’s foreign policy, the projection, promotion, and protection of Kenya’s interests and image globally, and the official communication of global foreign relations. These functions make the MFDA a vital library and control tower of Kenya’s foreign relations.
The failure to perform these functions effectively has put Kenya in an embarrassing and dangerous position. An example is the recent visit of President William Ruto to Japan, which was announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Mofa) of Japan without a similar letter from the MFDA. Mofa announced the outcome and results of the visit from Japan’s perspective, without any official communication from the Kenyan government.
The lack of official communication from the MFDA regarding the visit and its outcomes has resulted in an information gap, leaving Kenyans and the global community uninformed about the purpose and achievements of the visit. This failure to manage Kenya’s foreign policy and communication can be detrimental to the country’s global relations and image.
To avoid such shortcomings, the MFDA must engage in global and domestic outreach diplomacy, effectively manage Kenya’s foreign policy, and maintain official communication on global foreign relations. By doing so, the MFDA will be able to project, promote, and protect Kenya’s interests and image abroad.
In conclusion, it is essential for the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs to play a more proactive and effective role in managing and communicating Kenya’s global foreign relations. Enhancing its functions will not only benefit the country in its international engagements but also improve Kenya’s image and interests globally.
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