Kenya will open an embassy in Baku as part of a phased restructuring of its overseas diplomatic network.
Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Affairs announced the move, Operative Information Center-OMM reports.
The decision was made as part of a review of the country’s diplomatic representation abroad, taking into account budget constraints and foreign policy priorities.
“Under the leadership of the Cabinet, Kenya will open new missions in Baku (Azerbaijan) and Brazzaville (Congo) to strengthen its representation in Central Europe and Central Africa, respectively,” the statement said.
As part of the first phase of the restructuring, the Kenyan government also plans to close its embassy in Bern, Switzerland.
“As before, issues relating to bilateral relations with Switzerland will again be handled by the Kenyan High Commission in London. At the same time, Kenya will retain its diplomatic representation in Geneva, where the country’s permanent mission will continue to engage with the UN and other multilateral organizations based there,” the statement said.
In addition, Kenya has already moved its diplomatic mission in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, to Mexico City, and its mission in Havana, Cuba, to Kingston, Jamaica, as part of the restructuring.
Azerbaijan and Kenya established diplomatic relations on May 28, 2004. President Ilham Aliyev signed a document establishing Azerbaijan’s embassy in Kenya on November 18, 2022. On May 23, 2023, Sultan Hajiyev was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Republic of Kenya.
