Foreign Affairs Ministry Sees Shake-Up as Kenya Names New Policy Chief
By Malticks - December 20, 2025
The move signals a continued effort to strengthen Kenya’s diplomatic machinery amid a rapidly changing global environment.
On Friday, December 19, 2025, a ceremony presided over by Ambassador Josphat Maikara, Director-General for Political and Diplomatic Affairs, marked the official handover.
On Friday, December 19, 2025, a ceremony presided over by Ambassador Josphat Maikara, Director-General for Political and Diplomatic Affairs, marked the official handover.
Ambassador Lucy Kiruthu formally handed over her responsibilities to Ibrahim Mustapha, the incoming Deputy Director-General and Head of the Directorate.
Ambassador Kiruthu is set to take up her new role as Kenya’s ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand, capping a distinguished diplomatic career with senior positions both locally and internationally.
Ambassador Kiruthu is set to take up her new role as Kenya’s ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand, capping a distinguished diplomatic career with senior positions both locally and internationally.
She has previously served as Acting Director-General for Political and Diplomatic Affairs, Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, and Deputy Chief of Mission at the Kenya Embassy in Washington, D.C.
In his new role, Ibrahim Mustapha will lead the Policy, Research, and Strategic Analysis Directorate, a critical arm of the ministry responsible for guiding Kenya’s foreign policy through research, analysis, and strategic planning.
In his new role, Ibrahim Mustapha will lead the Policy, Research, and Strategic Analysis Directorate, a critical arm of the ministry responsible for guiding Kenya’s foreign policy through research, analysis, and strategic planning.
His responsibilities include shaping policy frameworks, overseeing diplomatic strategies, and ensuring that Kenya’s international engagements reflect the country’s national interests and priorities.
The transition ceremony highlighted the Ministry’s focus on seamless leadership changes and the strategic deployment of senior diplomatic talent. A statement from the State Department for Foreign Affairs noted that the handover demonstrates a commitment to continuity and effective stewardship of Kenya’s foreign policy.
During the ceremony, Ambassador Kiruthu emphasised the central role of the directorate in maintaining policy coherence and ensuring informed decision-making. She expressed confidence in Mustapha’s ability to continue the work and thanked colleagues and ministry leadership for their support throughout her tenure.
The transition ceremony highlighted the Ministry’s focus on seamless leadership changes and the strategic deployment of senior diplomatic talent. A statement from the State Department for Foreign Affairs noted that the handover demonstrates a commitment to continuity and effective stewardship of Kenya’s foreign policy.
During the ceremony, Ambassador Kiruthu emphasised the central role of the directorate in maintaining policy coherence and ensuring informed decision-making. She expressed confidence in Mustapha’s ability to continue the work and thanked colleagues and ministry leadership for their support throughout her tenure.
Ambassador Maikara reiterated the ministry’s dedication to continuity and strategic excellence, ensuring that Kenya’s diplomatic efforts remain consistent and effective across both headquarters and missions abroad.
The leadership change comes as Kenya navigates an increasingly complex global environment, requiring enhanced coordination, strategic research, and agile policy formulation.
The leadership change comes as Kenya navigates an increasingly complex global environment, requiring enhanced coordination, strategic research, and agile policy formulation.
The Ministry has been actively restructuring its departments to ensure that expertise is effectively deployed to address global challenges and to maximise Kenya’s international influence.
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