Africa-Press – Kenya. President William Ruto has nominated Kosiom Frank Ole Kibelekenya as Ambassador to Copenhagen, Denmark, marking the establishment of a new mission, approved by the Cabinet.
Additionally, Ruto appointed three Deputy Ambassadors: Elias Bare Shill to Mogadishu, Somalia; Ambassador Dr Joseph Warui, redeployed to Moscow, and Ambassador Mohammed Hussein Nur to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Ambassador Nur comes from his former role as Kenya’s Ambassador to Doha, Qatar, while Ambassador Warui comes from his role as Deputy Head of Mission at the Court of Saint James (Kenya High Commission, UK).
Elias Bare deputises Ambassador Kubai Iringo, who is the current Ambassador of the Republic of Kenya to the Federal Republic of Somalia, having presented his credentials to Somali authorities in early 2024 and continuing his tenure into 2025-2026.
Deputy Ambassador Mohammed Hussein Nur deputises for the Ambassador, Isaac Njenga, Kenya’s Ambassador to Tanzania, while Deputy Ambassador Warui deputises for Dr Peter Mutuku Mathuki in Moscow.
The nomination of the full Ambassador to Denmark has been transmitted to the National Assembly for parliamentary consideration and approval.
These appointments come as part of Presidential Action No. IV of 2026, announced on Friday, February 6 by Felix K. Koskei, Chief of Staff and Head of the Public Service.
These are fresh appointments that had no sitting envoys from Kenya, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Embassies are located in capital cities with premises secured through the receiving state’s assistance. Host countries must protect premises against intrusion and damage, recognising their inviolability under VCDR. Local authorities cannot enter without the sending state’s consent.
The receiving state’s Foreign Ministry must also be notified of all diplomatic staff movements and positions. Security clearance is required for military attachés. Host countries may declare staff persona non grata, requiring recall without explanation.
Embassies and staff are exempt from taxes and customs duties, except indirect taxes. Sending states must additionally fund operations, security, and maintenance. Secure, encrypted communication is permitted; wireless transmitters require host consent.
Alternative arrangements include concurrent accreditation across multiple countries, third-party representation through established embassies, or the appointment of honorary consuls to handle basic tasks before establishing permanent missions. These options address situations where full embassies aren’t immediately feasible.
The formal diplomatic process requires written proposals, legal agreements on mission scope, suitable, secure premises, notifications of accredited staff, financial resources, and communication facilities. All requirements ensure proper functioning in accordance with international law and mutual obligations.
With these appointments, Kenya now extends its diplomatic footprint to 72 countries.
