1

STATEMENT

by

Amb.Monica Juma, DPhil, CBS

Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Republic of Kenya

during the

5th Diplomatic Briefing

Tuesday, 10th September 2019

15:00hrs

Hotel Radisson Blu

Nairobi, Kenya

2

Excellencies;

Ambassadors and High Commissioners;

Members of the Diplomatic Corps;

Colleagues from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;

Ladies and Gentlemen.

1. Good afternoon!

I am delighted to welcome you to the 5th Briefing of the Cabinet

Secretary to the Diplomatic Corps. I wish to begin by thanking you

for honouring my invitation for this briefing despite the short notice,

especially as the summer break ends when you would be finalizing

your work plans.

2. These briefings are intended as a space for foreign policy

engagements – elaborating on the place of Kenya in the world today.

It is also an opportunity for me to touch base with you all and to

share on the latest developments as we continue with our diplomatic

engagement at various levels. This is in line with my commitment to

keep the diplomatic community updated on Kenya’s diplomatic

activities as part of articulating the direction of our foreign policy, as

advanced through a theme that is predominant at a particular time of

the year.

STRENGHTENING BILATERAL RELATIONS

3. During these past two quarters, 27 resident and non-resident envoys

presented credentials to H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the

3

Republic of Kenya, I wish to recognize them through the friendly

countries they represent, which are: -

H.E Gobopang Duke Lefhoko, High Commissioner of

Republic of Botswana;

H.E Kyle Carter, Ambassador of the USA;

H.E Mrs Maria Alejandra Guerra, Ambassador of the

Republic of Chile;

H.E Meles Alem Tekea, Ambassador of the Federal

Democratic Republic of Ethiopia;

H.E. Jong Tong Hak, Ambassador of the Democratic

People’s Republic of Korea;

H.E. Mrs Unnur Orradottir Ramette of Iceland;

H.E Wu Peng, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China;

H.E Alex G. Chua, Ambassador of the Republic of

Philippines;

H.E Archbishop Hubertus Matheus Maria Van Megen,

Ambassador of the Holy See;

H.E Mrs. Angela Comfort, High Commissioner of Jamaica;

H.E Jesus Manzanilla Puppo, Ambassador of the Bolivarian

Republic of Venezuela;

H.E Ms. Fionnuala Quinlan, Ambassador of the Republic of

Ireland;

H.E. Ali Halabi, Ambassador of Lebanon;

H.E Dr. Alejandro Garofali, Ambassador of the Oriental

Republic of Uruguay;

4

H.E Zurab Dvalisvhili, Ambassador of the Republic of

Georgia;

H.E. Ryoichii Horie, Ambassador of Japan;

H.E Dimitrios Zavoritis, Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic

of Greece;

H.E Winpeg Moyo, High Commissioner of Republic of

Zimbabwe;

H.E Saqlain Syedah, High Commissioner of the Islamic

Republic of Pakistan;

H.E Martin Klepetko, Ambassador of the Czech Republic;

H.E Oded Joseph, Ambassador of the State of Israel;

H.E. Jean Bosco Barege, Ambassador of the Republic of

Burundi;

H.E Jane Marriott, High Commission of the United

Kingdom;

H.E. Simon Mordue, Ambassador of the European Union

Delegation;

H.E Toba Sebade, Ambassador of Togo;

H.E Sulyaman Alieu Jack, Ambassador of the Republic of

Gambia, and;

H.E Hermann Immongault, Ambassador of the Republic of

Gabon.

I am also delighted that the UN family is now in place and wish

to congratulate Ms. Inger Anderson, Executive Director UNEP;

Mr. Walid Badawi, UNDP Country Representative; Ms. Fathiaa

5

Abdalla, UNHCR, Resident Representative and Ms. Maniza

Sultana Zaman, UNICEF Country Representative, for taking up

your stations in Nairobi.

4. In this regard, it is my singular pleasure to congratulate each and

every one of the new and not so new envoys and wish you a

productive tour of duty. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs remains

ready to facilitate all efforts and activities towards enhancing our

bilateral relations. The strengthening of bilateral relations is critical

to strengthening cooperation at the regional and global levels. This is

particularly key in view of the need to serve humanity at a time, that

is defined by some analysts, as characterized by great disruptions: a

time of growing challenge to cooperative solidarity, a time of growing

narrow nationalisms, a period when multilateralism is under threat

but more fundamentally a time when the world is faced with a range

of emerging threats that would ironically threaten any one individual

country, and whose response demands collective action. I also hope

that you will find in Kenya life-long and useful friendships, which will

underpin and help strengthen the official relations between our

governments and people. As we say in Swahili, Karibu Kenya na

Karibu sana!

5. We are delighted that Nairobi continues to claim its place as a

diplomatic capital. I welcome the growing number of resident

missions in Kenya and pledge to continue improving the environment

6

for growing this diplomatic family. In this regard, I wish to take this

early opportunity to introduce our Heads of Political Directorates and

Department, before I proceed:

a) Political & Diplomatic Secretary, Ambassador Tom Amolo;

i. Deputy Political & Diplomatic Secretary, Amb. Michael

Kiboino;

b) Protocol –

i. Chief of Protocol in charge of Government Protocol, Amb.

Tabu Irina;

ii. Office of the Ambassador in charge of Privileges and

Immunities, Amb. Samuel Gitonga;

c) Africa and AU, Amb. John Tipis;

d) EAC, Amb. Nyambura Kamau;

e) America’s, Ms. Immaculate Wambua;

f) Middle East, Amb. Arthur Andambi;

g) Asia and Austral-Asia & Pacific Islands, Mr. Lindsay Kiptiness;

h) Europe and the Commonwealth, Amb. Simon Nabukwesi;

i) Diaspora & Consular Affairs, Amb. Michael Oyugi;

j) Office of the Great Lakes Region, Amb. Mohamed Mahat;

k) Peace and Security, Mr. John Kilonzi;

i. The Red Sea and Indian Ocean Realm, Mr. Timothy Kaluma

l) UN & Multilateral Affairs, Amb. Salim Salim;

m) Economic & Commercial Diplomacy, Amb. Johnson Weru;

n) Liaison and Parliamentary Diplomacy, Amb. Chege Gathoga;

7

o) Cultural Diplomacy, Amb. Anne Wanjohi;

p) Directorate of Conferences & Events, Amb. Ben Ogutu;

q) Legal and Host Country Affairs; Ms. Stella Munyi;

i. Deputy, Legal Matters, Mrs. Juliet Gicheru;

ii. Deputy, Host Country Affairs, Mr. Joseph Vungo;

iii. Deputy, Office of the Registrar of Treaties, Mr. James

Waweru;

r) Foreign Service Academy, Amb. Galma Boru; and,

s) Chef de Cabinet, Amb. Moi Lemoshira.

6. I have confidence that the Directors will serve diligently and thus be

of assistance to your respective Missions.

7. On our part, and in the light of the policy to continue growing and

strengthening our bilateral relations we have just finalized the

preparation for deployment of 18 Ambassadors/High Commissioners

to serve in our Missions abroad and in, United Arab Emirates,

Algeria, Ghana, Switzerland, Germany, Senegal, Djibouti, Ireland,

United States of America, Zambia, Spain, Italy, South Korea, Sweden

and to the United Nations Office in Vienna and UN- Habitat Nairobi,

Consulate-General to Los Angeles, and Consulate-General to

Dubai.

8

FRAMING OUR BILATERAL RELATIONS

8. Emanating from the clear policy framework and prioritization of the

Big Four Agenda and their enablers, we have drilled down to

bankable projects and programmes. This means engagement with

each and every partner should lend itself to easy take off. In this

regard, I urge each one of you to appeal to your governments and

particularly the private sector to take advantage of not only the

prioritization, but also the efforts to make Kenya and investment

destination of choice. Today our ease of doing business continues to

improve faster than any other country, our macro-economic

framework continues to be robust, and the government continues to

improve security, in spite of our challenging neighbourhood. Our

investments continue to give us the advantage of being a gateway to

the East, Central, Southern and Horn of Africa region. For instance,

the first three berths of the LAPPSET Corridor will be commissioned

before the end of this year. This gives life to one of the most critical

infrastructure corridors on the African continent – that will open up

not only the unexploited northern part of the country but also create

links to Ethiopia, South Sudan, and hopefully onto CAR, DRC and

through to the Atlantic Ocean – in essence creating a land bridge

across Africa, between the Indian and Atlantic oceans.

9. My message to you is that Kenya continues to improve itself for

business – do take advantage of this.

9

10. We have also, since the beginning of the year focused attention on

high level visits and engagements across the world. In Africa we

have made visits to and received high level delegations from Southern

Africa; North Africa, Central Africa (DRC, Congo B,) within the region

(Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Eritrea, Sudan); in the Middle

East; Europe (France, UK,); in Asia (Japan, China); the Americas

(USA for the bilateral strategic dialogue, Canada for Women Deliver

and historically the first Caribbean mission at State level- that saw

H.E. the President visit Jamaica and Barbados where he had the

opportunity to engage with CARICOM Member States.

11. The top leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs continue to

engage with our friends and partners at all levels from all over the

globe. I have had the honour to visit and engage with your Ministers

in over 15 capitals and I have in turn received a similar number of

Ministers and high level representatives from around the world.

Similarly, the Chief Administrative Secretary has engaged 8 of his

counterparts in Nairobi and abroad. While the Principal Secretary

continues to engage with many of you on a regular basis, he has also

touched a number of capitals in Europe and made several visits to

the United Nations office in New York.

REGIONAL DYNAMICS

12. When I addressed you in December 2018, I defined last year as the

year of rapprochement. The desire for reform has continued to

10

characterize 2019 in the Horn region. The most dramatic

manifestation of this was in the Sudan where for eight months the

people organized and expressed their preference for change – leading

finally to a fall of the regime. While there were moments of anxiety,

leading even to the suspension of Sudan from the AU, today we

celebrate a new era with the formation of a constitutional civilian led

government, and the lifting of sanctions by the AU PSC on Thursday

last week. I congratulate Sudan on this historic transition and the

demonstration of a great sense of political maturity.

13. In South Sudan, another landmark development is unfolding. Only

yesterday, on 9th September 2019, the much anticipated face to face

meeting between President Salva Kiir and Riek Machar occurred, as

did a meeting of the delegation of Sudan and representative of rebel

groups, in Juba. We believe strongly that this demonstrated act of

commitment by the leadership offers a great opportunity to create a

shared understanding particularly on the outstanding issues that

gives impetus to the implementation of the pre-transitional

arrangements in South Sudan. I congratulate the people of South

Sudan. As always, Kenya is walking with them in this journey.

14. I would be remiss not to acknowledge a significant manifestation of

the reform processes – in particular the growing recognition of the

invaluable role and contribution of women in the governance of our

nations. I welcome the appointment of three sisters to head the

11

Foreign Affairs Portfolios; Ms. Asma Mohamed Abdalla of the Sudan;

Mrs. Awut Deng Achuil, of South Sudan and Ms. Marie Tumba Nzeza

of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Today in Africa we stand with a

compliment of 10 women foreign ministers, representing 18% of

foreign affairs Minister’s on the continent. Significantly, this

stands higher than any other continent on the globe, again pointing

to Africa’s vanguard role in some of the areas where historical

injustices continue to be mitigated.

Horn and the Red Sea

15. Among the most worrying dynamics in our region is the growing

footprint of external interest and actors in the region. Some analysts

have described this as a scramble for the resources and influence in

the Horn of Africa. While these external interests may be well

intentioned their manifestations bring significant risks to the ground.

This concern has translated into numerous convening’s on the Horn

or the Red Sea region discussions. While most of the initial

discussions were driven from outside the region, we are pleased that

the Mbeki led AU High Level Panel in collaboration with IGAD and the

UN to map out this region and attempt to proffer a developmental

blue print for the Horn region. Kenya welcomes this initiative

because there is a growing layer of vulnerabilities building up that

need to be addressed to avoid and mange any attendant risk.

16. A lurking risk that could complicate the fragility of this region is the

current maritime dispute between Kenya and Somalia. We welcome

12

the decision of the 5th September, 2019. The African Union Peace and

Security Council decision calls on both countries in the dispute to

“pursue and intensify engagements with a view to finding an amicable

and sustainable solution to their maritime boundary dispute’. This is

because while we are cognizant that this matter is before the ICJ, we

believe that a mutually acceptable and sustainable solution can be

found through negotiated settlement of the dispute. Kenya has

reached out to Somalia to seek to give traction to the resolution of the

AU PSC and is hopeful that our sisterly country will be amenable and

cooperative in this endeavor. In our view it would be irresponsible on

the part of any of us not to take all measure that insulate us from

further vulnerabilities of risks.

17. Further from our immediate region, in South Africa, we have seen

xenophobic attacks take place in Johannesburg. These are troubling

and deeply distressing attacks. We welcome the strong condemnation

of the attacks by the Government of South Africa. We further

encourage them to continue to find a lasting solution and hope that

the ethos and values of Pan Africanism will prevail over narrow

nationalisms, and be the bonds that glue us together, as African

brothers and sisters.

CONTINENTALLY/ MILESTONES

18. In the December briefing, I said “we are convinced the AfCFTA will

come into force in 2019. In so doing, it will set off the transformation

13

of the economic structure of African economies through the

expansion of opportunities for innovation and jobs.” In July 2019, in

Niamey, Niger, the African Union launched the operational phase of

the AfCFTA, after a record ratification by 27 Countries. The reality

of creating the largest economic bloc is closer today than it ever was

in the history of our continent. But this is also drawing the attention

of other regions including the Caribbean and the Pacific. I would also

wish to congratulate Ghana, which has been confirmed as the host of

the secretariat of the AfCFTA.

19. At this juncture, let me offer my congratulations to the Ms.

Maimunah Mohd Sharif, Executive Director and the entire UN-

HABITAT fraternity for hosting the inaugural Session of the UN-

Habitat Assembly at the end of May, 2019. The high level of

participation at UNHA-1 is a clear testament that the area of creating

sustainable, safe and workable cities is critical to developing

countries but also an important forum to address emerging and

current challenges to longstanding cities. UNHA-1 came barely two

months after the fourth session of the United Nations Environment

Assembly (UNEA-4), that on its margins also hosted the One Planet

Summit. These are milestones that confirm Nairobi’s credentials as

Africa’s United Nations capital.

20. We have just returned from the TCAD VII in Yokomaha during which

there was a sharp focus on emerging areas of trade and investment.

14

In this regard, the area of blue economy stands out as a niche area

that I would want to emphasis in this briefing. Kenya has mapped

out various areas of development including infrastructure, fisheries,

curbing illegal and unregulated fishing and capacity to patrol the

seas as central to a sustainable and productive blue economy.

KENYA'S UNSC CANDIDATURE FOR 2021-2022

21. On 21st August 2019, the African Union endorsed our candidature for

the Non-Permanent Seat in the UNSC for 2021-2022, for the elections

to be held in June 2020. We believe that our experience, capabilities

and knowledge puts us in good stead to make valuable contribution

to the UNSC as it executes its mandate to deliver international peace

and security.

22. Kenya has placed great value on the United Nations since we joined

as a young Republic that had fought valiantly for its independence.

The conviction that multilateralism enhances sovereignty is at the

centre of our relations with the United Nations. Pointedly, our

engagement to be part of the UNSC draws from our consistent

preference and fundamental interest in a rules-based international

order.

23. Owing to the fragility of parts of our region, that straddles East, the

Horn, the Great Lakes and southern Africa; we have been relentless

in the promotion and maintenance of peace, security and stability in

15

Africa, and the world at large. Our anchor role in pursuit for peace

particularly in the Horn of Africa has led to the development of a

strong and evolving peace doctrine. Kenya's promise is to bring its

wealth of experience in preventive diplomacy, peacekeeping, conflict

resolution and post-conflict reconstruction to the UNSC.

24. In the days ahead, we will officially launch the campaign for our

candidature. In this regard, we will seek your support for the period

2021-2022 to fulfill our obligations and responsibilities as a member

of the United Nations.

25. While we shall take time to elaborate our proposed agenda, it is in

order for me to signal the foundation of our candidature. Our

candidature is themed Peace and Security for Sustainable

Development and will focus on and agenda that enhances the

relations between the council and the regional peace and security

mechanisms, addresses international and new threats; the nexus

between environmental sustainability and security; Humanitarian

action; Sustainable livelihoods the blue economy, women, peace and

security; Youth empowerment; and sustainable development.

CLIMATE CHANGE AND SECURITY

26. To influence debate on peace and security in the region under the

background of external players, Kenya has engaged with numerous

interactions such as the African Regional High-level Conference on

16

Counter Terrorism and the Prevention of Violent Extremism Conducive

to Terrorism, jointly convened by the United Nations Office of

Counter-Terrorism and the Republic of Kenya and the Special

Conference on the Strengthening of Peace and Security in the Horn of

Africa on the margins of TICAD VII. These meetings highlighted

several security implications, amongst them, climate change.

27. Climate change poses a fundamental threat to Kenya, the Horn and

Africa due to the region's fragile and often hostile ecosystems. At the

Munich Conference, I had occasion to participate in a panel that

covered the threats posed by raid climate change and environmental

degradation. This informs Kenya's pre-occupation to lobby the

international community to urgently put mechanisms in place to

reduce carbon pollution and prepare for the consequences of global

warming which we are already experiencing.

28. The effects of climate change, such as the current drought, are being

felt particularly hard in Africa. The Horn of Africa region, already

prone to perennial droughts and food shortages, will continue to face

heightened climate change-related disasters. Food insecurity is a

proven driver of conflicts in the region. Consequently, Kenya

continues to work with other countries in the region to mitigate the

effects of climate change and improve food security in our

neighbourhood, a key priority in President Kenyatta's the Big Four

Agenda.

17

29. We are delighted that the 74th session of the UNGA will dedicate a

substantial part of its business to high level discussions on climate

change and resilience. The experience of the Bahamas last week

underscores the urgency of addressing ourselves to this existential

threat.

NEXT STEPS

30. Next weekend we will be convening the commonwealth women

meeting in Nairobi. This sits well with President’s gender equality

credentials but more importantly it will be an opportunity to build

on the commitments made at Women Deliver Conference in

Vancouver in June, and the Inaugural African Women Leadership

Network Retreat that was organized in Nairobi in August, 2019. We

look forward to receiving the Commonwealth delegations to this

important meeting.

31. We look forward to the next UNGA Session and discussions

particularly as they relate to security, climate change and

environmental management. To this end, Kenya will convene High-

Level Ministerial side event on Delivering on Peace: Peace and

Political Transitions that is scheduled for 25th September. We also

working towards the International Conference on Population and

Development 25 scheduled for November 2019. It is our earnest

hope that this important event is given its attention. In this regard,

18

I urge every delegation to sensitize their capitals and to help us

deliver another global consensus and an important agenda for

humanity. As I have always said, in Cairo the world made promises

to the woman, we must keep and fulfill this promise. We look

forward to your support and solidarity in delivering this important

meeting.

32. In early December 2019, we will host the 9th ACP Summit of Heads

of State and Government, which will among other things review the

George Town Agreement as well as form the basis for the successor

agreement. We urge you to engage your capitals for early

confirmations and look forward to receiving you delegations in

Nairobi.

Conclusion

33. Investment in our reputation and resilience at home, strategy and

architecture abroad and connections everywhere is paramount and

enduring. As we move forward, our focus continues to be (i) to work

to maintain and consolidate our shared gains and (ii) promote values

that anchor this mutual progress.

34. As I conclude, I reiterate the availability and readiness of the Ministry

to share information and clarify any issue in our purview. In view of

this commitment, the Chief Administrative Secretary, the Principal

Secretary and Political and Diplomatic Secretary and the Office of

19

Public Relations at the Ministry are available to engage you on any of

these matters.

Thank you for your kind attention.

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

NAIROBI

10th September 2019