Kenya has clarified the nomination of a Consul-General to Goma following concerns raised by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) regarding the posting.
In a statement on Monday, August 18, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi emphasized that the nomination is still subject to parliamentary approval in Nairobi and formal acceptance by Kinshasa.
He explained that under Kenya’s Constitution, a presidential nomination alone does not constitute an official diplomatic posting. Nominees must first receive parliamentary vetting before the government formally seeks the host country’s agreement, or acceptance.
Regarding Goma, Mudavadi noted that the process also requires the DRC to issue an Exequatur, authorizing the Consul-General to assume duties.
“Article 132(2) of the Constitution empowers the President to nominate and, with National Assembly approval, appoint ambassadors, high commissioners, and consular representatives, and also to dismiss them,” Mudavadi said. He added that President Ruto has submitted all nominations to Parliament for vetting in line with the law.
Mudavadi stressed that Kenya’s foreign service realignment aims to improve performance and service delivery under the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), not to interfere in DRC politics or sovereignty.
He confirmed discussions with his Congolese counterpart, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, to clarify Kenya’s position. Highlighting long-standing bilateral relations since 1963, Mudavadi noted that both nations already maintain missions in each other’s countries, including Kenya’s Goma Consulate opened in 2022 and DRC’s Mombasa Consulate inaugurated in 2023.
“Kenya remains committed to strengthening cooperation with the DRC in trade, regional integration, and peace, while actively participating as co-chair in the joint EAC-SADC-AU peace initiatives,” he said.
The clarification follows President William Ruto’s August 15 announcement of redeploying 20 senior envoys, including ambassadors, high commissioners, consuls general, and deputy mission heads, to various diplomatic postings worldwide. The nomination to Goma had drawn immediate concerns from the DRC government the following day.
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