President William Ruto has approved changes within Kenya’s Foreign Service, reassigning two senior diplomats following the completion of the terms of service of serving ambassadors.
In a press release issued on Wednesday by the Executive Office of the President, the changes were described as necessitated by vacancies arising within Kenya’s diplomatic missions abroad. The reassignments take effect immediately.
Under the new changes, Ambassador Ababu Namwamba has been reassigned as Kenya’s High Commissioner to Uganda, with Kampala designated as his new station. Namwamba has previously served in various senior government roles and has been part of Kenya’s diplomatic corps.
At the same time, Ambassador Joash Maangi has been reassigned to serve as Kenya’s Ambassador to Brussels, Belgium, and the European Union, a key posting that oversees Kenya’s relations with the EU and several multilateral institutions.
In the notice, President Ruto said the changes were intended to ensure continuity and effectiveness within the country’s foreign missions.
“His Excellency the President has this afternoon sanctioned changes within the nation’s Foreign Service,” the statement read, noting that the decision followed the completion of terms by some serving envoys.
The reassignments were formalised through Presidential Action No. 11 of 2026, according to the notice signed by Chief of Staff and Head of the Public Service Felix K. Koskei.
The Foreign Service reshuffle comes amid Kenya’s continued efforts to strengthen diplomatic engagement, regional cooperation, and international partnerships, particularly within the East African region and the European Union.
Diplomatic observers say the Brussels posting is among Kenya’s most strategic foreign missions, given the EU’s role as a major development partner and trading bloc, while the Kampala assignment underscores the importance of Kenya–Uganda relations within the East African Community.
The government did not indicate whether additional changes within the Foreign Service are expected in the coming weeks.
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