Kenya has achieved another diplomatic milestone after being elected as one of the two Vice-Chairpersons of the Governing Council of the International Organisation for Mediation (IOMed) the world’s newest intergovernmental body dedicated to peaceful dispute resolution.
The organisation was officially inaugurated in Hong Kong on May 30, 2025, following the signing of its Constitutive Instrument by 38 countries, including Kenya. The event brought together senior global diplomats and representatives from across the world. Kenya was represented by Ambassador Willy Bett, who was elected Vice Chair, cementing the country’s growing reputation in international mediation.
According to Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei, the establishment of IOMed marks a significant step toward strengthening global mechanisms for mediation. The body will provide a structured and efficient platform for resolving disputes between states, investors, and commercial entities, while also boosting global investment confidence.
“IOMed will adjudicate disputes through mediation, derisking investments and providing a predictable, cost-effective, and efficient mode of dispute resolution,” Sing’Oei said in a statement. He added that Kenya’s membership aligns with its long-standing leadership in mediation and promotion of peaceful conflict resolution.
The new body will also help member states develop their domestic mediation capacity through targeted capacity-building initiatives, ensuring stronger and more reliable frameworks for handling commercial and diplomatic disagreements.
This development follows Kenya’s recent election to the UN Tourism Executive Council (2025–2029), where it triumphed over Thailand and Malta. These achievements underscore Kenya’s growing global influence and commitment to multilateral cooperation.
President William Ruto has repeatedly emphasized his vision of positioning Kenya among the world’s leading economies, aiming to transition from a third-world to a first-world nation by strengthening diplomacy, trade, and innovation — in the same league as Singapore and South Korea.
