Kenya’s foreign policy is in a profound crisis. It is unwilling to adapt to Africa’s evolving political landscape. 

We approach international relations with a mindset rooted in local political tactics—treating competitors as adversaries rather than potential allies and refusing to engage or reconcile long-standing regional differences.

Our diplomatic strategy remains reactive, hampered by entrenched blocs we have neither penetrated nor neutralized. 

Kenya has participated in diplomatic contests—Amina Mohamed’s bids for the WTO and AUC, and now Raila Odinga’s attempt at the AUC chairmanship—but we continue to stumble over the same obstacles. 

Kenya’s recent loss at the AUC had nothing to do with President Ruto’s support for Raila Odinga—that argument is uninformed and weak. If anything, Ruto’s vigorous backing demonstrated the energy, focus, and diplomatic drive that every Kenyan vying for an international position should receive. 

This standard for Kenya’s diplomatic engagements should not be an exception. Our ambassadors, envoys, and representatives in global institutions—from the AU to the UN—must take this up as their core responsibility: to push Kenya’s interests relentlessly. 

This effort must not end with Raila; it should extend to every Kenyan seeking international influence, contracts, or appointments.

Kenya’s diplomatic failures run deeper than a single election loss. Here are some of them.

African Political Fractures

Many African nations, particularly in the Francophone and Islamic blocs, had their strategic reasons for not backing Kenya’s bid. This reveals a deeper fracture within the continent that goes beyond individual candidates. 

As Dr. John Oluoch outlines, Africa must confront several existential threats to its unity:

Language – The ongoing divide between Francophone and Anglophone nations.

Race – Afro-Arab identity struggles, including biases based on hair texture and heritage.

Religion – The Christian-Muslim divide influencing continental leadership choices.

Global Politics – External forces that exploit and manipulate these internal divisions.

Instead of addressing these realities in its AUC bid, Kenya was reactive and fragmented. We should have led a unified ‘Africa as One’ campaign, breaking down regional silos and fostering collective progress.

 We should have aligned with global narratives on resource sovereignty, as seen in Western migration policies, and championed policies that safeguard Africa’s resources for its people. 

Kenya should have actively demanded the expulsion of exploitative foreign entities that plunder Africa’s wealth under the guise of investment.

The Failure of Kenya’s Diplomatic Corps

As Cyprian Nyakundi aptly put it, “Kenya’s diplomatic corps has been hijacked by political patronage, sidelining seasoned diplomats for party loyalists and campaign rally ushers.” 

Instead of seasoned professionals, our embassies are led by former district officers, party financiers, military men, and political cronies without diplomatic credentials. This isn’t diplomacy—it’s an outright auction of Kenya’s global standing.

Kenya has become a passive observer rather than a key player in continental affairs. In crucial African states like Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and South Africa, none of our envoys are seasoned career diplomats, and the consequences are evident.

Kenya’s Diplomatic Blind Spots

A fundamental issue is our lack of clear diplomatic objectives. Our diplomatic strategy is not only flawed, it's unsustainable.  

Do we truly understand what South Africa, Namibia, Algeria, Morocco, or Egypt want from Kenya—and, more importantly, what we can gain from them? Our envoys land in these nations and contribute little beyond personal enrichment. 

The belief that diplomacy should be “quiet” is a convenient lie to justify inaction. The world’s major diplomatic players—the U.S., Russia, China, France, Iran, Palestine, and the UK—are anything but silent. 

South Africa, a dominant force in AU politics, wields its influence through clear and vocal engagement. Diplomacy isn’t about passive observation; it’s about strategic influence.

Rather than maneuver with precision before crucial votes are taken, forging alliances well in advance, Kenya often enters diplomatic battles with a mindset rooted in domestic political tactics. 

We should treat all African nations (including competitors) as allies or potential allies. We should reconcile regional differences before critical votes are undertaken. 

This takes time. Successful international lobbying requires years of groundwork by the Foreign Ministry—building alliances, understanding competing interests, and offering compelling reasons for partnerships. It's not a sprint to the end. 

The Role of Kenyan Social Media in Diplomatic Failures

Our diplomatic shortcomings are mirrored by how Kenyans behave on social media. KOT (Kenyans on Twitter) exemplifies the same bullish, uninformed, and entitled mannerisms that our diplomats and politicians display on the world stage. 

Kenyans are permanently in “beef mode,” antagonizing African leaders instead of fostering partnerships. This arrogance—whether from Gen Z activists, know-it-all PhDs, or MPs with nothing but salaries and egos—alienates our neighbors.

The Path Forward

African nations and their leaders do not appreciate Kenya’s antagonistic approach. Diplomatic influence is cultivated through engagement, not hostility. 

If Kenya is to reclaim its standing, we need a complete overhaul—from how we appoint our diplomats to how we engage with the world, offline and online.

If we continue business as usual, we will keep losing ground in critical continental and global arenas.