New York University (NYU) on Monday, March 18, announced the appointment of Ambassador Martin Kimani as the new Executive Director of the Center on International Cooperation (CIC), effective June 3, 2024.
The appointment was made days after President William Ruto replaced him as Kenya’s permanent representative to the United Nations.
In a diplomatic shakeup on March 8, President Ruto replaced him with former Turkana County Assembly Speaker Erastus Lokaale.
Announcing the appointment, NYU remarked that Ambassador Kimani was a distinguished and accomplished diplomat hence the preference to the global role.
“Martin Kimani brings many years of experience in international diplomacy, crisis prevention, and the links between peace, justice, equality, and inclusion at the highest level,” Sarah Cliffe, outgoing Executive Director of CIC announced why Kimani was appointed.
In his new role, the diplomat is expected to further CICs global peace, security and development expertise agenda.
Kimani remarked that he was looking forward to building the legacy that had been founded by Sarah Cliffe.
“I am deeply honoured to join CIC and its brilliant staff to build ambitious partnerships that deliver real-world impact. I'm especially excited by NYU world-class researchers,” his acceptance statement read in part.
In his new role as the head of CIC, Kimani will lead the advocacy for international cooperation to prevent crises and promote peace, and justice.
CIC is further involved in the promotion of inclusion as well as being a leading global think tank on multilateralism.
“Assuming leadership of the CIC at this crucial time is a privilege, as we stand at the crossroads of global challenges that demand robust, ambitious multilateral cooperation,” Kimani appreciated the scope of his assignment.
On March 10, Ambassador Kimani appreciated President Ruto for letting him serve as Kenya’s top diplomat in the United Nations.
“It has been the privilege of a lifetime to serve Kenya as its Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York,” he stated as his role ended. By
