State seeks public input in redesigning foreign policy

MANU MUMBA-KNA 

The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs is reviewing the 2014 Kenya Foreign Policy. During a public stakeholder validation forum, the Ministry also presented the new Draft Foreign Policy 2024. 

The validation exercise aims to broaden the government’s reach to citizens, ensuring the policy reflects the aspirations of the nation. 

Speaking at a meeting in Nairobi, the Prime Cabinet Secretary (PCS) and Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, MusaliaMudavadi, stated that the core of a country’s foreign policy is to provide a strategy for achieving its national interests in line with its goals. 

He acknowledged how foreign the document may seem to the people and expressed his commitment to presenting foreign policies to the public, ensuring they are aligned with diplomatic engagements.

“Public participation is a fundamental principle of Kenya’s democratic governance, enshrined in our country’s constitution,” Mudavadi emphasized. 

The Prime CS revealed that the policy resulted from engagements with government ministries, the Judiciary, high commissions, and the public, highlighting how these discussions are crucial for improving all arms of the government. 

Further, he announced that it is the first time in the country’s history that the foreign policy review would be tabled in Parliament for deliberations. 

“This will further widen the avenue for public interest through elected representatives. It aims at growing parliament’s attention to the cost implications of our foreign policy formulation and implementation,” the Prime CS explained. 

At the same time, Dr. Mudavadi said Kenya has been able to sign mutually beneficial agreements to expand trade to the people, diversify creative economic prospects and secure agreements to address youth unemployment. 

“The country has received more international scholarships thereby leading to a rise in public-private partnerships and an increase in international engagements that not only flourish the tourism sector, but also guarantee our peace and security,” he said. 

The Prime CS reiterated that the public has a role to play in the formulation and implementation of the report and committed himself to closing the missing link between the country’s foreign policy and the public’s understanding and engagement in international affairs.