The final group of ambassadors appointed under former President Uhuru Kenyatta have completed their tours, marking the end of an era in Kenya’s foreign service as President William Ruto continues his diplomatic reshuffle.
In Ankara, Leonard Boiyo, appointed in April 2022, concluded his three-year posting, during which he was also accredited to Georgia, Romania, Bulgaria, and North Macedonia. Reflecting on his tenure, Boiyo wrote on X, “As my tour of duty in Türkiye draws to a close, the African Diplomatic Corps in Ankara today hosted a farewell lunch in my honor,” highlighting “friendship, support and collaboration.” He will be succeeded by Anthony Mwaniki Muchiri, the former Public Service Commission chief, as Kenya seeks to strengthen defense and security ties with Turkey.
Meanwhile, former ICT Permanent Secretary Bitange Ndemo prepares to leave Brussels, where he served as ambassador to Belgium and the European Union. His exit coincides with the signing of the Economic Partnership Agreement, granting Kenya duty- and quota-free access to European markets, a trade milestone marking the conclusion of his tenure.
In Dar es Salaam, Isaac Njenga ends his three-year assignment amid a posting often defined by the fluctuating dynamics of Kenya-Tanzania relations. Michael Sialai departs from Windhoek, Namibia, where his successor will be former labor minister Florence Bore.
Ambassadors serve at the discretion of the president, and Ruto’s reshuffle replaces political appointees from the Kenyatta administration with a mix of career diplomats and trusted allies, signaling a strategic realignment of Kenya’s foreign service.
