Prime Cabinet Secretary
H.E. Dr. Musalia Mudavadi, EGH
Cabinet Secretary for Foreign & Diaspora Affairs
Provides overall policy and political leadership of the Ministry and represents Kenya at the highest level.
Learn moreAbout the Ministry
Kenya's voice in the world.
The Ministry of Foreign & Diaspora Affairs projects, promotes and protects Kenya's interests abroad, advancing diplomacy, trade and peace, and serving Kenyans wherever they are.
75
Missions worldwide
5
Pillars of foreign policy
1963
Serving since independence
UNON
UN HQ in Nairobi: UNEP, UN-Habitat and a growing UN hub
Our mandate
What the Ministry does
We lead Kenya's diplomatic relations and coordinate the country's engagement with the world, from bilateral partnerships and multilateral forums to trade, treaties, protocol and the care of Kenyans overseas.
"To project, promote and protect Kenya's interests and image globally through innovative diplomacy, and contribute towards a just, peaceful and equitable world."Our mission
Diplomatic relations
Managing Kenya's bilateral and multilateral ties across every region.
Consular services
Protecting and assisting Kenyans abroad, 24 hours a day.
Protocol & treaties
Accreditation, privileges and Kenya's international agreements.
Policy coordination
Coordinating a coherent, whole-of-government foreign policy.
Missions abroad
A global network of embassies, high commissions and consulates.
Ministry leadership
Meet the full leadership →Who leads the Ministry
The political and administrative heads who direct Kenya's diplomacy at home and across our missions abroad.
Principal Secretary
Dr. A. Korir Sing'Oei Ph.D., CBS
Foreign Affairs
Administrative head for Foreign Affairs, leading diplomatic relations and the global network of missions.
Learn morePrincipal Secretary
Roseline Kathure Njogu, CBS
Diaspora Affairs
Administrative head for Diaspora Affairs, leading diaspora engagement, welfare and services.
Learn moreVision & values
What we stand for
Our vision: “A peaceful, prosperous and globally competitive Kenya.” These values guide every mission and every officer.
01
Patriotism
02
National Unity
03
Rule of Law
04
Non-discrimination
05
Integrity
06
Transparency and Accountability
07
Sustainable Development
08
Good Governance
09
Social Justice
10
Inclusiveness
Foreign policy
The five pillars of Kenya's foreign policy
Kenya's engagement with the world rests on five connected pillars. Select one to learn more.
01
Economic diplomacy
Growing trade, investment, tourism and jobs for Kenyans by opening new markets, attracting partners and championing Kenyan business on the world stage.
Explore this topic02
Peace diplomacy
Advancing regional stability, mediation and security cooperation across the Horn of Africa and the wider continent, a long-standing role for Kenya as a peacemaker.
Explore this topic03
Environmental diplomacy
Championing climate action and green growth. Nairobi hosts the global headquarters of UN Environment (UNEP) and UN-Habitat, a unique platform for Kenya's leadership.
Explore this topic04
Cultural diplomacy
Sharing Kenya's heritage, sport, music and creativity to build understanding, goodwill and people-to-people ties across borders.
Explore this topic05
Diaspora diplomacy
Connecting, protecting and mobilising Kenyans abroad as valued partners in national development, through registration, services and investment channels.
Explore this topicOur story
Milestones in Kenyan diplomacy
Six decades of diplomacy, from independence and a seat at the United Nations to a global network serving Kenyans everywhere.
Independence & a seat at the table
Kenya gains independence, joins the United Nations and opens its first diplomatic missions abroad.
Founding a united Africa
A founding member of the Organisation of African Unity, today's African Union, and a champion of Pan-African cooperation.
The world comes to Nairobi
Nairobi becomes home to the UN Office at Nairobi (UNON), host to the global headquarters of UN Environment (UNEP) and later UN-Habitat, the only UN headquarters in the Global South and a hub that keeps growing.
On the Security Council
Kenya serves a two-year term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, advocating for African priorities.
A global network
75 embassies, high commissions and consulates carry Kenya's diplomacy and serve its people worldwide.
Structure
How the Ministry is organised
The Ministry leads Kenya's foreign relations, protects Kenyans abroad and advances trade, treaties, protocol and diaspora engagement. It works under political leadership from the Prime Cabinet Secretary and administrative direction from the Principal Secretaries for Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Affairs, through specialised directorates, regional desks and the global mission network.
Political leadershipPrime Cabinet SecretaryPolicy and political direction of the Ministry
Administrative headPrincipal Secretary, Foreign AffairsLeads Foreign Affairs and the global mission network
Administrative headPrincipal Secretary, Diaspora AffairsLeads Diaspora Affairs and diaspora services
Directorates
Director
Political & Diplomatic Affairs
Bilateral relations and diplomatic engagement across regions.
Director
Economic Diplomacy & International Trade
Trade, investment and commercial promotion abroad.
Chief of State Protocol
State Protocol
Accreditation, privileges and immunities of the diplomatic corps.
The Diplomatic ListDirector
Legal Affairs & Treaties
International law and Kenya's treaty commitments.
Director
Consular & Diaspora Affairs
Services and protection for Kenyans living and working abroad.
Director
Foreign Service Academy
Training and professional development for Kenya's diplomats.
Director
Administration & Finance
Corporate services supporting headquarters and missions.
Regional desks
75 missions worldwideEmbassies, high commissions & consulates →AfricaAsia & PacificAmericasEuropeMiddle East
Service Charter
Our commitments to you
We hold ourselves to clear, published standards. These are the timelines you can expect for our most-used services.
| Service | Standard | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency travel document | 1 working day | Fee applies |
| Document attestation & legalisation | ~5 days | Fee applies |
| Consular assistance in distress | 24/7 response | Free |
| Diaspora registration | Instant, online | Free |
| General enquiries | Within 2 working days | Free |
Every service page carries a last-updated date and its Charter commitment. For the full Service Charter, fees and timelines, visit the Help centre.
Visit us
Ministry headquarters
- Address
- Old Treasury Building, Harambee Avenue, P.O. Box 30551-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
- Counter hours
- Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 17:00 EAT. Closed on public holidays.
- Telephone
- +254 20 331 8888
- info@mfa.go.ke
Resources
Publications and downloads
Key documents about the Ministry, its plans and its commitments to you.
Get in touch with the Ministry
Reach our contact centre, find your nearest mission, or explore what to know before visiting Kenya.