Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi made history on the world stage by chairing a session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), shortly after its official opening by U.S. President Donald J. Trump.
Kenya, currently serving as Vice Chair of the 80th UNGA, was given the responsibility of helping steer the high-level deliberations. This placed Mudavadi at the helm of one of the most important diplomatic gatherings globally.
“Standing at the helm of the United Nations General Assembly after its official opening by US President Donald J. Trump, I had the distinct duty of chairing the session on behalf of Kenya,” Mudavadi wrote in a statement on X. He described the moment as a “historic milestone” reflecting Kenya’s growing influence in global diplomacy.
The session featured contributions from several world leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Colombian President Gustavo Petro, and Polish President Karol Nawroki. Each highlighted urgent global challenges such as the Israel-Palestine conflict, the war in Ukraine, and drug trafficking in the Americas.
Nawroki underscored Poland’s humanitarian role in hosting more than one million Ukrainian refugees, while Petro urged a fresh global approach to the drug war, calling it a complex issue shaped by social and geopolitical factors.
Mudavadi emphasized that his role went beyond symbolism, noting that as Vice Chair, he was tasked with helping direct discussions and advancing consensus where needed. He described the duty as a reflection of Kenya’s credibility and its trusted voice in championing peace, justice, and cooperation.
Earlier, President Trump, delivering his first UN address of his second term, urged nations to prioritize sovereignty and nationalism. His 55-minute speech emphasized self-determination and reiterated his “America First” vision, while encouraging other countries to adopt similar approaches.
For Kenya, Mudavadi’s chairing of the session marked a proud moment on the international stage—one that underscored the country’s rising profile in global governance.
