How Kenya’s Foreign Service Academy is Shaping Diplomacy

Kenya is an influential player in Africa and globally. And with the rising tensions in various parts of the world, including Kenya’s border with Somalia, now more than ever, there is a need for diplomacy.

And diplomacy, though we often see the President, Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, and even Ambassadors during crucial conflicts, more often than not, men and women are greasing the wheels of negotiations.

For these men and women in diplomacy and other government officials, being equipped with the right skills is not only vital but also a key to Kenya’s continued influence.

This is where the Foreign Service Academy (FSA) comes in. Originally established as the Foreign Service Institute in 2006, FSA was transformed into a semi-autonomous government agency this December.

At its core mission is to equip diplomats and public servants with essential skills for global diplomacy, focusing on foreign policy research, training, and consultancy.

FSA has become the training ground for diplomats, with various trainings designed for different levels of diplomatic service. These include foundational, intermediate, and advanced courses in foreign policy, diplomatic practice, economic diplomacy, conflict resolution, and international law.

The programmes are structured to foster expertise in areas such as regional affairs, environmental diplomacy, and diaspora relations, ensuring a continuous pipeline of trained professionals to represent the country’s interests globally​.

The Academy ensures that the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs has a rich human resource to tap from. It also develops institutional capacities on policy, research, analysis, and monitoring of the efficacy of Kenya’s foreign policy.

The need for diplomats across the government is huge, with Kenya currently having 24 embassies and 18 consulates around the world.

These missions, whether embassies or consulates, provide support to Kenyan nationals living or traveling overseas, helping them with documentation and emergency assistance, and facilitating diplomatic relations between Kenya and the host countries.

Working in these embassies and consulates typically involves individuals with expertise in diplomacy, international relations, and public administration. The most common roles include ambassadors, who represent the president and manage the embassy’s operations, as well as other officers such as economic, political, and management officers. Public diplomacy officers also play a crucial role in fostering bilateral relations.

FSA supports the Ministry by providing targeted training and enhancement of research and advisory services in contemporary diplomacy. The Academy will continue promoting mutually beneficial and synergetic partnerships with relevant institutions, both governmental and non-governmental.