Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, on Friday led celebrations during the State Department for Foreign Affairs’ Ministerial Wellness Day, held at Ulinzi Grounds in Nairobi. The event, themed “Healthy Workforce, Stronger Diplomacy,” highlighted the critical connection between staff wellness and the effectiveness of Kenya’s diplomatic mission.
The occasion brought together Ministry staff and dignitaries, offering a timely platform to reflect on key institutional milestones. Among the major achievements lauded was the successful development, publication, and gazettement of Sessional Paper No. 1 of 2025, a landmark policy framework that has now been officially adopted by both the Executive and the Legislature. The Paper sets out Kenya’s long-term foreign policy vision and operational strategies, aligning them with global trends and national interests.
In his keynote address, Mudavadi emphasized the Ministry’s ongoing transformation agenda, particularly the drive to professionalize and localize Kenya’s diplomatic corps. He announced a major policy shift that seeks to ensure that 70 per cent of Kenya’s diplomats will be homegrown, a bold move aimed at strengthening the institutional memory, capacity, and professionalism of the Foreign Service.
“This shift is not just about numbers. It is about ownership, sustainability, and developing a cadre of career diplomats who understand Kenya’s unique global position and can articulate our interests with authority and clarity,” Mudavadi said.
He reiterated that prioritizing staff wellness is a strategic investment in the long-term resilience and success of Kenya’s foreign policy agenda. As part of the celebrations, Mudavadi presented awards to outstanding individuals and Directorates within the Ministry, recognizing their dedication and exemplary service.
The Ministerial Wellness Day served not only as a celebration of health and team spirit, but also as a moment of strategic introspection. As Kenya advances its diplomatic priorities in an increasingly complex global landscape, the focus on building a strong, locally anchored, and professional foreign service is set to become a cornerstone of the country’s international engagement.
