President William Ruto has announced fresh changes in the Foreign Service, naming new envoys to key missions abroad.

"The president has instituted further changes within the nation’s Foreign Service, whose diplomatic footprint now extends to seventy-two countries/territories," read a press release from the Executive Office of the President.

According to the statement, the moves are part of ongoing efforts to strengthen diplomatic representation.

“These changes comprise nominations for appointments to newly established missions as sanctioned by Cabinet, and the filling of vacancies arising from the end of tenure of serving diplomats.”

Kosiom Frank Ole Kibelekenya has been nominated as Ambassador to Copenhagen, in the Kingdom of Denmark.

Elias Bare Shill has been nominated as Deputy Ambassador to Mogadishu, Federal Republic of Somalia.

Amb Joseph Warui has been redeployed to Moscow, Russia Federation, while Amb. Mohammed Hussein Nur has been nominated to Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania.

The President has also forwarded one nomination to Parliament.

“His Excellency the president has transmitted the nomination of the full Ambassador to the National Assembly for consideration and approval by Parliament.”

The notification was signed by the Chief of Staff and Head of the Public Service, Felix Koskei.

On January 21, the President sanctioned reassignments within Kenya’s foreign service, citing vacancies arising from the completion of the terms of service of serving ambassadors.

In a press release issued by the Executive Office of the President, the Head of State approved changes affecting serving heads of Kenya’s missions abroad.

The notification stated that the reassignments were intended to address vacancies created after the end of ambassadors’ terms.

Under the presidential action, Ambassador Ababu Namwamba was reassigned as High Commissioner to Kampala, Uganda, while Ambassador Joash Maangi was reassigned as Ambassador to Brussels, Belgium and the European Union.

The press release noted that the changes would take effect immediately.

“His Excellency the President has this afternoon sanctioned changes within the nation's Foreign Service. The changes are necessitated by vacancies arising from the completion of the terms of service of serving Ambassadors,” Head of Public Service Felix Koskei said.

Earlier, the President had officially dispatched a new cohort of Kenya’s ambassadors, high commissioners, and consuls-general, underscoring the critical role of diplomacy in advancing the country’s strategic interests on the global stage.

“There is no greater honour in public service than the duty to represent one’s country internationally,” Ruto said.

He described the envoys as carriers of Kenya’s hopes, values, and aspirations, with a clear mandate to foster mutually beneficial relations, safeguard national interests, and faithfully represent the people of Kenya with dedication and steadfast commitment. By DAMARIS KIILU, The Star