Kenya has moved its Haiti and Cuba missions to Mexico and Jamaica, while planning new embassies in Azerbaijan and the Republic of Congo.
Kenya’s diplomatic restructuring has shifted two overseas missions and includes plans for new embassies in Azerbaijan and the Republic of Congo. The changes also include closing the embassy in Bern, Switzerland.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei outlined the arrangements on November 10. His announcement followed concerns about consular services among Kenyans living in Switzerland.
Diplomatic restructuring shifts regional missions
Sing’Oei said Kenya had completed the relocation of its mission from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, to Mexico City, Mexico. The government has also moved its mission from Havana, Cuba, to Kingston, Jamaica.
He described both moves as part of an exercise to reorganise Kenya’s diplomatic network. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs plans to establish two additional missions under Cabinet guidance.
The proposed embassies will operate in Baku, Azerbaijan, and Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of Congo. Sing’Oei said the openings would strengthen Kenya’s diplomatic reach. Together, the completed relocations and planned openings form part of the government’s broader changes to its overseas representation.
Geneva to provide consular support for Kenyans
Meanwhile, the planned Bern embassy closure has raised concerns among an estimated 12,000 Kenyans living in Switzerland. Citizens who had applied for documents must collect them from the embassy before November 30.
However, Sing’Oei assured affected citizens that they would retain access to consular assistance through Kenya’s Permanent Mission in Geneva. Kenya will therefore maintain a diplomatic presence in Switzerland despite closing the Bern embassy.
The Kenya High Commission in London will handle bilateral relations with Switzerland, returning to an earlier arrangement. The ministry said the closure would not weaken the longstanding friendship between the two countries.
Geneva will also continue representing Kenya at the United Nations and other multilateral organisations based there. For further updates, the ministry directed citizens to the official websites and communication channels of the Bern and Geneva missions.
