Kenya is taking a fresh approach to diplomacy by bringing foreign policy directly to the people through the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs’ (MFDA) Foreign Policy Mashinani initiative.
The programme aims to bridge the gap between national policy and county development, ensuring that Kenya’s international engagements translate into tangible benefits for local communities.
The three-day pilot, which started today, October 14, 2025, is being held at the Mama Grace Onyango Cultural Centre in Kisumu, marking the first step in a nationwide rollout.
During the Kisumu event, the Ministry engaged with local officials including Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili, Regional Commissioner Flora Mworoa, and Women Representative Ruth Odinga.
Representing Principal Secretary Dr. Korir Sing’Oei, Ambassador Josphat Maikara described the forum as “a historic first interface between the Ministry, the county government, and the people.”
He stressed that the initiative aims to “help the Ministry learn from the region’s vast potential and advance Kenya’s diplomacy in a way that reflects the aspirations of every county.”
Ambassador Maikara noted that the programme represents a shift from centralized policymaking to a more inclusive approach, reflecting the principles of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
“Foreign policy should open local economies for global partnerships that directly benefit citizens,” he said.
Ambassador Lucy Kiruthu, Director of Policy, explained that counties are now active partners in shaping Kenya’s diplomacy. “Foreign policy is no longer the preserve of the Executive.
Counties are now co-creators and co-implementers of Kenya’s diplomacy. What happens abroad must make sense to the farmer, the fisherfolk, and the youth seeking opportunity at home,” she said. Kisumu was chosen as the pilot due to its strategic importance in cross-border trade, tourism, and the blue economy.
Ambassador Hellen Gichuhi, Secretary for Diaspora and Welfare Affairs, highlighted the diaspora as “Kenya’s 47th county,” noting their vital role in the economy through remittances of Sh4.6 billion.
She emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring “safe, ethical, and beneficial migration,” and encouraged counties to establish information centres to prevent human trafficking and promote structured diaspora investment.
Dr. Owili welcomed the Ministry team, calling the engagement “long overdue.” He praised the establishment of a County Liaison Directorate within the Ministry as a framework for structured collaboration with international partners.
He also highlighted the translation of the Foreign Policy document into Kiswahili and its distribution via QR codes, describing it as “a powerful gesture of transparency and inclusion.”
Throughout the day, Ministry officials engaged with Kenya Shipyards Limited (KSL), Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA), and the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) Kisumu Chapter.
Discussions focused on areas such as shipbuilding, aquaculture, marine transport, renewable energy, and investment promotion, with an aim to align national diplomacy with local economic opportunities.
Kisumu, as the first county in this initiative, is setting a precedent for nationwide people-centered diplomacy. Ambassador Kiruthu said, “this is only the beginning, the springboard for reimagining diplomacy through local innovation,” stressing that the ultimate goal is to make diplomacy “felt, lived, and experienced by every Kenyan.”