Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, has assured the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that Kenya fully respects its sovereignty and due diplomatic processes, following concerns raised over the recent nomination of a Consul-General to Goma.
In a press statement, Mudavadi revealed that he had spoken with his DRC counterpart, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, to clarify that the nomination announced by President William Ruto on August 15, 2025, was not a final diplomatic posting. He explained that under Kenyan law and international practice, parliamentary approval must first be secured before formally seeking the consent of the host country.
“The presidential nomination does not in itself constitute a diplomatic posting,” Mudavadi stated. “Once the nominee is approved by Parliament, Kenya will request Agrément from the host state. In the case of Goma, the DRC government must also issue an Exequatur before the Consul-General assumes office.”
Mudavadi dismissed speculation of strained relations, stressing that Kenya’s redeployment of envoys was aimed at improving service delivery and strengthening bilateral cooperation, not undermining DRC’s sovereignty. He further reaffirmed Kenya’s support for peace efforts in eastern DRC through the joint EAC-SADC-AU framework, where Nairobi serves as co-chair.
Highlighting the deep-rooted ties between the two nations dating back to 1963, Mudavadi noted that Kenya and the DRC continue to strengthen relations through consular offices in Goma and Mombasa, alongside embassies in Kinshasa and Nairobi.
“Kenya remains firmly committed to advancing our shared interests in trade, regional integration, and security. The breadth of opportunities and strategic interests between our two nations continues to drive our shared prosperity and lasting partnership for the benefit of our peoples,” he said.
Written By Rodney Mbua
