President William Ruto has announced a fresh round of appointments to Kenya’s foreign service, marking a significant reshuffle aimed at boosting the country’s diplomatic presence abroad. The appointments, contained in a gazette notice dated October 3, saw nine individuals nominated as High Commissioners, Ambassadors, and Consuls General to Kenya’s missions overseas.
Among the most notable appointments is former Labour Cabinet Secretary Florence Chepngetich Bore, who has been named Kenya’s High Commissioner to Namibia. Bore, who served in Ruto’s first Cabinet before being dropped during the July 2024 reshuffle, will now take charge in Windhoek. Her new role is seen as strategic in strengthening Kenya’s relations with Namibia and the wider Southern African region, particularly in trade, labour mobility, and regional cooperation.
Other key postings include Anthony Mwaniki Muchiri to Ankara, Turkey; Lucy Kiruthu to Bangkok, Thailand; and Joseph Musyoka Masila alongside Edwin Afande to various missions. In addition, Jayne Jepkorir Toroitich has been appointed Consul General in Dubai, UAE—a vital hub for trade and diaspora relations.
Also joining the diplomatic corps are Henry Wambuma, Abdirashid Salat Abdille, and Judy Kiaria Nkumiri, who will be taking up ambassadorial and consular roles.
The reshuffle comes as the Ruto administration seeks to align Kenya’s diplomacy with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). The new envoys are expected to translate domestic economic priorities into foreign policy outcomes by fostering stronger bilateral relations, attracting investment, advancing technology transfer, and enhancing Kenya’s role in global and regional integration.
State House has framed the changes as part of a wider strategy to re-energise Kenya’s foreign service and cement the country’s place as a proactive player in international affairs.
In the same gazette notice, Ruto also appointed John Cox Lorionokou as the new Registrar of Political Parties.
