Preview

Kenyas Foreign Policy

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1530 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Kenyas Foreign Policy
FOREIGN POLICY
The conduct of foreign policy in Kenya is a prerogative of the Head of State the Chief Executive (President). These powers are rested in the Presidency by section 16 of the Constitution of Kenya, Amendment Act No. 28 and in Section 23 of the Constitution. Consequently, the Chief Executive is the initiator, articulator and director of foreign policy. This applies universally and is not unique to Kenya. The Foreign Ministry's responsibility is that of advice and execution in consultation with the President

Several individuals, institutions and organizations participate in the foreign policy formulation and decision-making. From this perspective, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is only a facilitator, co-ordinator and a steward of the country’s foreign policy; the various government agencies are complementary actors in the conduct of foreign policy.
Kenya’s Foreign Policy Orientation
Kenya’s foreign policy has, since independence been designed and guided by the following basic and universally recognized norms:
• Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of other states and preservation of national security.
• Good neighbourliness and peaceful co-existence.
• Peaceful settlement of disputes
• Non-interference in the internal affairs of other states
• Non-alignment and national self-interest
• Adherence to the Charters of the UN and OAU/AU Factors Influencing Kenya’s Foreign Policy
Kenya’s foreign policy has since independence been guided and shaped by its own national interest. This self-interest could be grouped into three main categories:-
1.Security/Political

Peace and stability are a pre-requisite to social and economic development. The governments commitment to guarantee the security of its people, and the preservation of national integrity and sovereignty within secure borders underlies the desire to advance national interests by guaranteeing a secure political environment for development.

Economic Advancement or Development
Economic

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    DeConde, A., Burns, R. D., Logevall, F., & Ketz, L. B. (Eds.). (2002). Encyclopedia of American foreign policy (2nd ed.) (Vol. 1). New York, NY: Scribner 's.O’Malley, M. (1999)…

    • 594 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Papp, Daniel S., Loch K. Johnson, and John E. Endicott. American Foreign Policy: History, Politics, and Policy. New York: Pearson Longman, 2005. Print.…

    • 1290 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Foreign relations refers to the ongoing management of relationships between a public policy administrative organization of a state and other entities external to its authority or influence. Congress has the power to declare war. The potus-president makes treaties with other countries. The senate approves treaties with other countries. Potus and congress control trade with other countries.…

    • 1216 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Kenya lies to the east of the African continent and has a coast on the Indian Ocean. The country straddles two of the most famous lakes in Africa - Lake Turkana and Lake Victoria. At its heart is Mount Kenya from which the country takes its name. The Kenyan population is heterogeneous, comprising seven major ethnic groups as well as tens of smaller ones and non-Kenyan communities. There is a religious mix with a Christian majority and Muslim and indigenous religious minorities. Formerly a British colony, Kenya achieved independence in 1963. Understanding the various cultural norms and ethnic and religious groups is essential when doing business in Kenya. Kenyan Culture - Key Concepts and Values Group-relations – Kenyans have strong affiliations to their ethnic group or tribe and sometimes place them in front of the ‘nation’. The family is at the heart of Kenyan life and is given priority over everything else. Several generations will live together in one house with all family members taking care of one another. Absenteeism from work or delays in performing tasks due to family obligations is frequently experienced in Kenya and is viewed as perfectly acceptable. Religion – The majority of the population is Christian (Protestant and Catholic) but there is also a substantial Muslim (Sunni) minority. At the same time Animism and ancestor worship remain widespread. Both Christians and Muslims have managed to incorporate traditional practices into their respective religions creating unique blends to suit their particular needs. Time – In general, Kenyans have a more relaxed approach towards time and live at a slower pace. It is not unusual to wait half an hour for someone to arrive for an appointment and this is seen as perfectly acceptable. Taking care of personal affairs…

    • 2419 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Kenya Essay

    • 575 Words
    • 3 Pages

    In section three, also known as Kenya, starts off with Barack Obama being on a plane heading to Nairobi to visit the family that he never knew. Before Barack Obama goes to law school, although Barack Obama Sr. is now deceased, he still decides to start his trip to Kenya to confront some things that needs to be confronted. This is when Barack Obama’s journey comes full circle. In the process, he found much love and attachment from people that he barely even knew.…

    • 575 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Why Is Kenya Successful

    • 2197 Words
    • 9 Pages

    The African country, Kenya was colonized by the British in the late nineteenth century. By the middle of the twentieth century, Kenya aspired to gain its independence in attempt to begin to unify an independent Africa. They also desperately wanted independence to fix economic and social neglect, along with the injustices of the colonial era. The colonial system did not help Africa to further develop and the British took some of the money that the Africans made from trade (B.A. Ogot 8). Kenya began fighting the British in the 1950s because they banned Mau Mau, an ancient Kikuyu society. This was due to its violence and strict rules. To push back the fighting from the Mau Mau, the British brought in their army. However, the Mau Mau continuously…

    • 2197 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    removal of international trade barriers wherever possible and establishment of an equality of trade conditions among the nations consenting to the peace…

    • 642 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Mogadishu Effect

    • 2393 Words
    • 10 Pages

    The sole intent of this investigation is to determine the effect which US involvement in Somalia 1992 - 1994 (more exactly Mogadishu) has had on United States’ foreign policy in the following years. To assess the impact had on US foreign policy a review of the events which transpired in Somalia between 1992 and 1994 will be conducted followed by an assessment of any policy changes made following excursion. Two sources, one taken from ‘The United States Army in Somalia 1992 - 1994’ by John S. Brown and the other taken from ‘The “Mogadishu Effect” and Risk Acceptance’ (http://www.commandposts.com/2011/08/the-mogadishu-effect-and-riskacceptance/)…

    • 2393 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    The NMS serves to focus the Armed Forces on maintaining US leadership in a global community that is challenged on many fronts – from countering the threat of global terrorism to fostering emerging democracies. In this environment, US presence and commitment to partners are essential. Our Armed Forces, operating at home and abroad, in peace and war, will continue to serve as a constant, visible reminder of the United States role to protect common interests. "Our dedication to security and stability ensures that the United States is viewed as an indispensable partner, encouraging other nations to join us in helping make the world not just safer, but…

    • 1070 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    President and Congress

    • 1436 Words
    • 6 Pages

    The era of globalization has witnessed the growing influence of a number of unconventional international actors, from non-governmental organizations, to multi-national corporations, to global political movements. Traditional, state-centric definitions of foreign policy as "the policy of a sovereign state in its interaction with other sovereign states is no longer sufficient. Several alternative definitions are more helpful at highlighting aspects of foreign policies.…

    • 1436 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Policymaking and the Media

    • 8143 Words
    • 33 Pages

    Gibbs, D. (2000). Realpolitik and humanitarian intervention: the case of Somalia. International Politics, 37, 41-55.…

    • 8143 Words
    • 33 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    unified“. Additionally, both the power of the foreign ministers to shape foreign policy and the…

    • 583 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Roles of President

    • 570 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Roles: The president decides what American diplomats and ambassadors shall say to foreign governments. With the help of advisers, the president makes the foreign policy of the United States.…

    • 570 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Government Role

    • 1270 Words
    • 6 Pages

    The main role of the executive is to preform leadership like duties such as carrying out leadership roles, ceremonial roles, and preforming symbolic. The leadership role demand formulating, articulating, and implementing goals of the political system. The effective chief executive becomes the spokesperson for the people, attempts to invigorate the people’s support for these goals, and then develops strategies that ease their accomplishment. For the most part the chief executive takes the initiative in a policy form. The executive policy leadership is very crucial during times of crisis, because the executive structure has the potential for a level of coherence and consent of action, which is almost always lacking in legislature. In most political systems the chief executive officer has the power to veto the legislation that the legislature initiates, which may be directly or indirectly. The actors in the executive role usually function as the unifying symbol of the entire society, becoming the lead figurehead for the people. The executive presence becomes a central to many of society’s ceremonies and rituals. In the majority of all political systems the executive has the primary responsibility for implementing the laws and policies of political order. Most systems have an executive cabinet in where each member is directly and personally responsible for some of the major areas of administration. However they are supposed to set a broad set of guidelines for policy and implementation and responsibility for any major mishaps that occur. In parliament for examples, the minster of a department will usually resign if there is a serious shortcoming in his or her area of responsibility. The chief executive must set policy and supervise the organization and utilization of the state’s military capabilities, which is a task that can have the most serious consequences for the security, and well being of the society. Along with this comes the supervision of foreign affairs that…

    • 1270 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Pakistan's Foreign Policy

    • 1109 Words
    • 5 Pages

    "The foreign policy of a country is in a sense a projection of its internal policies ,social, political and economic."…

    • 1109 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays

Related Topics