Ruto Reshapes Kenya's Diplomatic Corps, Replacing Over Half of Envoys to Reward Allies and Pursue Strategic Interests
-
President Ruto has shaken up Kenya's diplomatic corps, retaining only 10 of 66 ambassadors appointed under former president Uhuru Kenyatta. This allows Ruto to reward allies and secure strategic interests.
-
In October 2022, Ruto appointed 28 new envoys and made 2 reshuffles. Recent March 2023 nominations removed more Kenyatta appointees.
-
Some key replacements include new envoys to Russia, Uganda, Netherlands, Italy, Saudi Arabia. New embassies opened in Switzerland, Morocco, Côte d’Ivoire.
-
Among the 10 Kenyatta-era survivors are envoys in Indonesia, Brazil, Kuwait, Turkey, Thailand, Burundi, Zimbabwe and Tanzania.
-
The shake-up combines political motives to reward Ruto allies with appointments of top civil servants to secure Kenyan interests globally. The 27 new nominees have over $30 million combined net worth.