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Kenya Keeps Fumbling Her Foreign Policy As Its Determined By the Greedy Desires Of a Single Man Who Has Put Their Greed First, Not The Country’s

BY Steve Biko · January 31, 2025 08:01 pm

Kenya’s foreign policy once stood tall with a sense of purpose, a dash of East African solidarity, and the occasional flair for showmanship. We were famed for the gallant African statesmanship of old, forging alliances with neighbors and positioning ourselves as a beacon of peace. Yet somewhere along the line, we seem to have meandered into a labyrinth of ill-conceived photo ops, ill-timed handshakes, and questionable friends who pop in for tea, leaving us to deal with the diplomatic hangover.

When President Ruto took office, many believed he would embrace the country’s tradition of neighborly relations. After all, East African integration wasn’t just a lofty goal—it was an essential economic lifeline. But the fanfare quickly dissolved into confusion when a series of handshake tours turned into a greatest-hits montage of questionable allegiances. Instead of forging new, robust partnerships, Kenya appeared to cozy up to figures as murky as Lake Turkana at dusk.

At first, the photo ops were shrugged off as rookie mistakes, blamed on overenthusiastic aides hungry for social media likes. But it soon became evident that there was a distinct pattern—a pattern that involved high-level courtesy calls by personalities whose reputations, to put it politely, are best described as “under investigation.” Kenya’s leadership, caught like deer in headlights, simply kept smiling for the cameras.

Our neighbors, with eyebrows arched higher than the peak of Mount Kenya, began to watch these developments with more than a little suspicion. How exactly did we go from the region’s voice of reason—organizing peace talks, championing democracy, and stabilizing conflict zones—to an administration that barely coordinates its own photo sessions, let alone foreign policy?

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To be fair, no government is immune to gaffes. But Kenya’s new diplomatic persona seemed determined to break all previous records for stumbles. From contradictory statements on the status of our cross-border friendships to last-minute cancellations of crucial regional summits, the Ruto administration performed a fascinating tango of miscommunication. Each step seemed choreographed to leave East African allies wondering whether Kenya was still that trustworthy partner or a brand-new contestant in a very chaotic game.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) saga is perhaps the most telling. Once upon a time, Kenya’s peacekeeping efforts in the Congo were heralded as proof of our commitment to regional stability. We dispatched troops, offered technical support, and took part in initiatives to quell simmering tensions. However, the new government’s approach to DRC quickly took a turn for the bizarre. Vague commitments, inconsistent statements, and unclear endgames left Congolese officials scratching their heads. Was Kenya in or out, up or down, or stuck somewhere in between?

As if that weren’t enough, the drama with South Sudan almost felt scripted for a reality show. Despite Kenya playing a historical role in brokering peace deals for the fledgling nation, one can’t ignore the noticeable cooling of relations. Invitations to high-profile summits became scarce, and attempts to engage South Sudanese leadership sometimes resulted in cryptic silence. No one would be surprised if Juba occasionally peered across the border at Nairobi and simply said, “Thanks, but we’re good.”

Then there was the matter of domestic legal entanglements meeting the delicate ecosystem of international relations. Imagine the scene: a Kenyan leader proclaiming the rule of law at home while rubbing elbows with figures who, in other jurisdictions, might be waiting for a date with the courts. The comedic potential of these encounters was hard to resist for local satirists. Cartoons depicted official visits as half handshake, half fingerprinting sessions. The irony wasn’t lost on anyone—except, apparently, on those at the top.

At home, the administration often cites “Kenya’s interests” as the rationale behind its curious friendships. But critics argue that these interests seem more personal than national. Whether it’s landing a quick trade deal, ensuring favorable business terms, or simply boosting one’s political profile with carefully orchestrated photo ops, the line between personal gain and national benefit appears blurrier than the horizon on a hazy Nairobi morning.

It’s no secret that East African Community (EAC) leaders have kept President Ruto at arm’s length. Officially, they claim scheduling conflicts or prior commitments. Unofficially, diplomatic whispers suggest a discomfort with Kenya’s erratic approach to matters of regional significance. If your neighbor’s doorbell rings at odd hours and their house guests are a rotating cast of controversial figures, you’d be wary of inviting them over for dinner too.

While Kenya boasts a history of championing diplomatic solutions—look at our involvement in Somalia, Sudan, and Burundi in years past—recent times have painted a more forlorn picture. Peace talks that used to be spearheaded by Nairobi have shifted to other capitals like Kampala or Dar es Salaam. This shift is subtle but telling: it seems that other East African leaders would rather handle delicate negotiations without the unpredictability emanating from State House.

Critics in Kenya point out that the country’s foreign policy is now driven by knee-jerk reactions instead of coherent strategies. Each day brings a new announcement or a random tweet about forming a special task force for some brand-new crisis. Meanwhile, the old unresolved issues, from maritime border disputes to cross-border trade conflicts, linger in a dusty corner, waiting for an ounce of attention.

Perhaps the most painful realization is that Kenya’s once-cherished leadership role in the region is on life support. We used to pride ourselves on being the voice of reason, the stable anchor in a turbulent neighborhood. But with every awkward handshake with questionable dignitaries, our moral high ground is slowly eroded, replaced by cynicism both at home and abroad.

Satirists have had a field day imagining the lengths to which the administration will go to plaster President Ruto’s face beside whichever big name or small-time political operator might be passing through. One viral cartoon showed a hypothetical state visit from a shady “Business Mogul X,” featuring a backdrop of swirling question marks while Kenyan officials applaud. It would be hilarious if it weren’t so depressingly close to reality.

Our foreign policy luminaries, who once strove to articulate Kenya’s vision for Africa, find themselves overshadowed by sudden announcements on social media. In place of carefully planned summits, we have ambiguous statements. In place of strategic alliances, we have fleeting photo opportunities. The concept of “soft power,” which Kenya once wielded skillfully, now seems like an ancient relic gathering dust in the archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Ironically, the administration often cites biblical passages or religious rhetoric in speeches, implying moral high ground. Yet in foreign relations, we seem to have parted ways with that moral compass, floating in a sea of contradictory actions. The mention of “prayer breakfasts” in the face of questionable foreign ties has become a running punchline for skeptics.

Some argue that it’s not all gloom and doom, insisting that the Ruto administration just needs more time to settle. But how much more time do we need before we transform from an East African leader to a regional afterthought? Each passing day sees more global headlines about Kenya’s confusion at the top, feeding into a narrative that the new guys don’t quite know which direction they’re marching.

The irony is that Kenya’s foreign policy blueprint on paper still looks relatively sound. It extols values like peace, integration, and mutual respect. But when our top officials can’t decide whether to attend a crucial EAC meeting or host a controversial foreign visitor, even the best blueprint in the world begins to look like a worthless set of scribbles.

Where once we brought people together—hosting summits that shaped the trajectory of the entire region—now we can barely coordinate a coherent position on pressing issues like the security situation in the Congo. Each diplomatic misfire only amplifies the sense of Kenya being sidelined, overshadowed by Uganda, Tanzania, or Rwanda, who appear more consistent in their stances.

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This loss of stature becomes particularly evident when the region faces crises. Our voice, once an authoritative call for peace and unity, now cracks under the weight of domestic troubles and ill-advised foreign entanglements. Allies who once eagerly flocked to Nairobi for counsel now take detours elsewhere, politely ignoring our frantic calls.

The resultant vacuum has major consequences. It weakens not just Kenya’s position, but the entire East African Community, which benefits from having a vibrant, engaged Kenya. If the biggest economy in the region can’t steer the ship or at least hold the compass steady, everyone suffers. Investors grow wary, conflict zones remain volatile, and critical integration projects sputter.

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All the while, Kenyan citizens watch this spectacle unfold with a mix of disbelief and resigned humor. Memes featuring the president shaking hands with cartoon villains flood social media. Satirical blog posts dub the administration’s foreign policy “The Flip-Flop Doctrine.” Sarcasm has become the currency for Kenyans disillusioned by a government that promised transformation but seems more interested in cameo appearances alongside questionable acquaintances.

Some supporters of the administration try to repackage every misstep as a strategic masterstroke, claiming that “the president knows what he’s doing.” But convincing an entire region to overlook messy optics and random alliances is a Herculean task, one that may require more than sweet words and choreographed PR stunts.

The law across the region is another sticky point. Many of the “distinguished visitors” Kenya has hosted are rumored to be in legal tangles in their home countries or under international scrutiny. Our willingness to roll out the red carpet for them undermines respect for legal processes—especially in a region where rule of law remains a fragile concept at best.

It’s a strange twist of fate that while Kenya tries to lecture others on democracy, governance, and human rights, we’re hobnobbing with individuals whose track records read like rap sheets. Our neighbors can only shake their heads in disbelief, wondering when we’ll snap out of our star-struck daze. Their reluctance to partner with Kenya in high-stakes missions is as understandable as it is embarrassing.

Each time a photo emerges of a beaming Ruto posing next to a dubious figure, Kenyans collectively hold their breath, waiting for the next wave of international commentary. The administration tries to downplay these episodes, claiming “protocol demanded a courtesy call.” Unfortunately, the region’s leaders aren’t buying it—and who can blame them?

Amid all this satire and sarcasm, there’s a genuine concern that Kenya is losing its influence for good. Our historical achievements—like mediating regional conflicts and championing pan-African ideals—risk being overshadowed by a new reputation: unreliable, inconsistent, and enthralled by questionable alliances. If we don’t recalibrate soon, we may find ourselves in a lonely corner of East Africa, watching from the sidelines as real decision-making shifts elsewhere.

Ultimately, the question remains: can the Ruto administration shake off these self-inflicted wounds, pivot towards a more principled foreign policy, and reclaim Kenya’s place as a regional powerhouse? The script for a political redemption arc certainly exists, but it will require genuine introspection and a willingness to shed some dubious friends.

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One can only hope that we’ll see fewer chaotic photo ops and more deliberate engagement with leaders who share Kenya’s proclaimed values. The region is waiting for us to show seriousness of purpose, to stand by our principles, and to remember that leadership isn’t just about being in the picture—it’s about what you do once the cameras stop flashing.

Kenya’s foreign policy reset must begin with an honest acknowledgement of the blunders made so far. Only then can we forge ahead with clarity and consistency, reclaiming the trust we’ve lost. Without such a course correction, we’ll remain the punchline of East African diplomacy jokes, stuck in an endless cycle of awkward handshakes, tabloids, and muffled snickers from our neighbors.

Meanwhile, the rest of East Africa continues to move on, forging new ties and setting their agendas, with Kenya looking more and more like a has-been who can’t quite figure out the current tempo. In the comedy of errors that is our current foreign policy, let’s hope the final act will be a triumphant turnaround rather than a humiliating exit.

As the curtain falls on this diplomatic dramedy, we can only pray that cooler heads and wiser counsel eventually prevail, reminding the leadership that real partnerships are built on respect, transparency, and common values—not hastily arranged photo opportunities that vanish as quickly as they appear on social media.

If Kenya wants to re-emerge as the champion of the East African Community, it must reassess its alliances and its approach to regional diplomacy. Perhaps then, our neighbors will once again invite us to the table, not out of politeness or pity, but out of genuine respect for a nation that once was—and can still be—a guiding light in the region.

Until that day comes, we remain in a state of polite exile, on the outside looking in. And as the satirists so gleefully remind us, every new photo op with a questionable character is another step away from the genuine leadership role we once proudly held. Let’s hope for a second act that redeems this tragicomedy, for the sake of Kenya and the entire East African region.

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