Ismail M Shaiye

My opening remarks at the 19th Ambassadors’ Conference 2026 at the Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi. #AmbassadorsConfKE2026 #DiplomacyInActionKE @ForeignOfficeKE @Diaspora_KE @MusaliaMudavadi @WilliamsRuto

Honoring the work of communities on waste management in Korogocho @UNHABITAT @ItalyinKenya @MissKochKenya @ForeignOfficeKE

I commend you @husseinmoha for the vital role you are playing in lifting Kenya’s soccer standards. Sports is a key component of our national brand and I look forward to supporting your hosting of AFCON early next year. @ForeignOfficeKE

In light of the intense and widening conflict in the Middle East with serious repercussions for global peace and security generally and our national interests specifically, we convened a virtual meeting to debrief with our diplomats serving in several countries of the region. Grateful for their observations and insights critical to our response. @ForeignOfficeKE @Diaspora_KE

I had the privilege of visiting the Still I Rise International Baccalaureate (IB) School in Mathare North this morning where I met remarkable young athletes shaping the future of Kenyan sport. I was joined by Benjamin Yongo, gold medallist (U15) at the African Championships in Dakar, his coach Ashley Ngori, and Carlotta Dal Lago of @alnafrica. I engaged with the fencing club they established in March 2025 in partnership with Still I Rise. Still I Rise is an international non-governmental organization dedicated to providing high-quality IB education and holistic support to vulnerable and refugee children in challenging contexts. Their work in Mathare is creating safe spaces where young people can learn, grow, and realize their full potential. Fencing is a growing discipline in Kenya, and it is inspiring to see it taking root at the grassroots level. Beyond competition, it builds discipline, resilience, and confidence, qualities that shape not only athletes, but future leaders. I am pleased to accept the role of Patron of the Fencing Club and to support the continued development of fencing and other emerging sports in Kenya. Sport remains a powerful tool for diplomacy and partnership, strengthening our global engagement while investing in the dreams and talent of our youth. @stillirisengo @ForeignOfficeKE

Pleased to welcome Ms. Heather Gerken, the new President of the Ford Foundation, to the Foreign Office. Our discussions centered on strengthening our partnership that has impacted Kenya’s development journey for over sixty years. With @pthigo and senior officials at the Ministry, we briefed President Heather on progress made in negotiating a new host country agreement and other initiatives including the trust summit and our cooperation under the @opengovpart. @ForeignOfficeKE

Upon the untimely passing of Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, C.G.H on 15 October 2025, amongst the many responsibilities that fell on @ForeignOfficeKE, was to act as repository of condolence messages from sovereigns and members of the international community from around the world. In the discharge of this role, we realized that we were receiving an unusually high number of messages of comfort and solidarity. These messages continued to flow beyond the burial date and through the two months that followed. As we reviewed the messages, we realized they reflected not only deep respect and solidarity extended to Kenya following the passing of a leader but that our late Prime Minister was mourned not only as a Kenyan statesman, but as a global voice for justice, democracy, and dialogue. Given the inspiring messages received, the Department collated and consolidated them into a four volume compendium bound for posterity. Yesterday afternoon, I had the singular honor to hand these compendium to Her Excellency Mama Ida Odinga and the family on behalf of @MusaliaMudavadi . During the handover, I was accompanied by Amb. Beyene Russom, Ambassador of the State of Eritrea to Kenya and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps; Zainab Hawa Bangura, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON); H.E. Hazem Shabat, Ambassador of the State of Palestine and Dean of the League of Arab Ambassadors to Kenya; Mr. Joseph Mwangi- Director of Kenya National Archives and senior staff at the State Department. Beyond today’s handover to the family, additional volumes will be preserved at the National Archives, National Library Service, and Foreign Affairs heritage institutions. Additionally, in his honour, the Ministry will establish an annual Raila Odinga Conference on Democracy and Diplomacy to be held in Kenya and work with other agencies and development partners in supporting the family in establishment of a Memorial Museum in the late Prime Minister’s name.

We welcome the fifth ratification of the IGAD treaty whose effect is to bring the treaty to force. Kenya looks forward to playing her role in the organization thereby contribute to shared regional stability and prosperity. @IGADsecretariat @ForeignOfficeKE

Thank you @ASHAKURHUSSEIN

Reflection, learning, re-calibrate. Together.

Well done Kenya Consulate Jeddah!

Dear colleagues, members of the Diplomatic Corps, on behalf of the PCS & CS MFDA @MusaliaMudavadi and the entire team @ForeignOfficeKE I wish you a Merry Christmas 🎄 and happy new year 2026. #MerryChristmas

Engaged H.E. Shaheen Nilofer, UNICEF Country Representative to Kenya. She briefed me on UNICEF’s ongoing consolidation of programmes in Nairobi, with additional key functions relocating to Nairobi within the context of UN80 reforms. I reaffirmed Kenya’s strong commitment to supporting UNICEF’s mission and assured her of our readiness to provide the necessary legal, logistical, and infrastructural facilitation to ensure the success of their expanded operations in Kenya. We look forward to deepening this partnership for the benefit of every child. @UNICEFKenya @ForeignOfficeKE

President Ruto speaks on the significance of the Washington Peace Pact between Rwanda & DRC, commending President Trump for his bold leadership, and imploring him to support the search for peace in Sudan. ⁦@ForeignOfficeKE⁩

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has just concluded a series of events in celebration of Africa Youth Month. Over the past few days, the Ministry has engaged with incredibly knowledgeable, intellectually curious, passionate, and courageous young Kenyans on the role of trust in global cooperation, regional integration, and national unity. The youth shared their vision for the country, emphasizing their desire for youth-centred governance. The message is clear: Kenyan youth are an economic asset. The Ministry will continue to work with Kenyan youth to strengthen our country’s foreign policies and amplify youth priorities at national and global levels. @ForeignOfficeKE

I had the honour to meet Liisa-Ly Pakosta , Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs of Estonia on the sidelines of the AU-EU Summit in Luanda, Angola. Kenya and Estonia enjoy friendly and growing relations in Digital Transformation, Education, Trade & Investment. Welcomed the decision of Estonia to open an Embassy in Nairobi next year. @ForeignOfficeKE

I had the privilege of attending the 7th Edition of “Ambition Africa” in Paris, France a key annual business forum ,dedicated to strengthening partnerships between France and the African continent. This year’s discussions placed strong emphasis on agriculture, energy transition, innovation, and digital transformation, all of which are crucial drivers of sustainable growth. @ForeignOfficeKE

Glad to connect with the indomitable duo of @SolomonADersso Member of the @ACHPR and Director @africa_amani, and @tighistiamare Africa Director @ChathamHouse in Addis Ababa. Thank you for the vital roles you both play.

Joined @GHessebon, Foreign Minister Ethiopia, @MAWareSO, Deputy Executive Secretary IGAD, @HannaTetteh, UN Secretary General Rep in Libya and other leaders at the ongoing conference on Africa’s Rising Influence: Advancing Agency in Foreign Policy & Global Governance in Addis Ababa, co-hosted by Chatham House, Amani Africa and UNDP. During a panel discussion on ‘Power, partnerships, and the global order: Africa’s role in a multipolar world’ moderated by Dr. Solomon A. Dersso, Executive Director @africa_amani, I reflected on the present interregnum globally between the multilateral governance as we have known it and the ‘stormy’ present in which the new order has yet to crystallize. During this profound, volatile and uncertain times, Africa must lean into its collective consciousness developed over the last sixty years to define a pathway towards stronger global positioning of the continent going into the future. @ForeignOfficeKE @tighistiamare