Kenya taps Middle Eastern diplomats to train envoys on regional geopolitics
Speaking during the opening session on Monday, Ambassador Stella Munyi, who represented the Director General for Political and Diplomatic Affairs, said the initiative underscores Nairobi's intent to elevate its relations with the Arab world.
Kenya has tapped Middle Eastern diplomatic experts to train its envoys on navigating the region's evolving geopolitics, signalling a deeper push to strengthen its engagement with Arab states.
The week-long training, hosted by the Foreign Service Academy (FSA) in collaboration with the League of Arab States (LAS), brings together senior Kenyan diplomats to explore key themes including diplomacy, regional security, and economic cooperation.
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Speaking during the opening session on Monday, Ambassador Stella Munyi, who represented the Director General for Political and Diplomatic Affairs, said the initiative underscores Nairobi's intent to elevate its relations with the Arab world.
"This collaboration stands as a strong expression of friendship and an important pillar of South–South cooperation," she said, noting the Middle East's strategic significance in global affairs and its growing economic linkages with Kenya.
Kenya maintains six permanent embassies in the Middle East, located in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Iran, Qatar, and Israel, forming a critical part of its 60-plus diplomatic missions worldwide.
The Foreign Service Academy, recently reconstituted as a semi-autonomous government agency, serves as the professional training arm of Kenya's Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs and has been tasked with enhancing the skills of both new and senior officers.
Ambassador Mokaya, Deputy Director General of the FSA, said the course is intended to deepen understanding of the region's dynamics.
"This training will strengthen our capacity for effective engagement by equipping officers to navigate the complex politics and opportunities of the Middle East," he said.
The seminar, facilitated by Ambassador Ashraf Mowafi, a former Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, is part of Kenya's effort to diversify its diplomatic expertise amid shifting geopolitical realities.
Understanding the Middle East, officials say, is crucial not only for trade and investment but also for navigating delicate issues such as the Israel–Palestine conflict, the Red Sea security architecture, and the energy transition diplomacy that underpins Gulf economies.
Ambassador Mohand Sala Ladjouzi, representing the LAS, reaffirmed the bloc's commitment to deepening Africa–Arab cooperation.
"The League of Arab States regards Africa as an important partner and will continue to strengthen cooperation in areas of mutual interest," he said.
The training comes as Kenya seeks to balance its growing ties with Gulf states, key employers of its diaspora and sources of energy investment, while maintaining principled positions on peace and stability in the wider Middle East.
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