Kenya to open consulates in China, Haiti in 2025

Kenya will open consulates in Guangzhou, China, and Port-au-Prince, Haiti, in 2025, as announced by Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi on Friday.

The consulate will be added to Kenya's embassy in Beijing, although the reasons for this decision have not been explained.

The new consulate in Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital, comes after Kenya and Haiti established diplomatic relations 15 months ago.

"Further in the light of growing demand, we have also expanded our diplomatic footprint by opening a new embassy in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Rabat in Morocco, and a consulate general in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia," Mudavadi added.

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A consulate serves as an official representative of the government, providing services such as passport issuance, emergency travel documents, and the registration of citizens.

It also offers support to Kenyans in distress, including those who have been victims of crime or assault, by offering guidance, assistance, and emergency evacuations, as seen in Lebanon.

The consulate is also responsible for promoting trade and investment, providing information on opportunities between Kenya and the host country.

In September 2023, Kenya and Haiti established diplomatic relations, agreeing to send ambassadors to each other's countries.

In a joint statement signed by ousted Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry and then Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua, both countries expressed their desire to "strengthen the ties of friendship for mutual benefit and in pursuit of common interests."

Kenyan police force

This agreement came before Kenya sent police officers to Haiti to help maintain peace in the troubled Caribbean nation.

"Guided by the principles and objectives of the Charter of the United Nations, International Law, and Treaties, we have decided to establish diplomatic relations from the date of signing this joint communiqué," the statement read in part.

Since then, Kenya has deployed 400 officers to Haiti and assisted in reopening Haiti's main international airport in Port-au-Prince in May, nearly three months after it had been forced to shut.

However, the mission has faced challenges, with recent reports indicating that the United States, the United Nations, and other international partners have not yet released funds for the deployment of 600 additional Kenyan officers.

This delay has raised concerns about financial issues, and there have been claims that some personnel have resigned.

In early November, Reuters reported that 20 officers from Kenya's MSS had submitted resignation letters due to delayed salary payments.

However, the MSS denied any resignations, confirming that all officers had received their full salaries and allowances.