1. INTRODUCTION The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) was established after Kenya became Independent in 1963 to articulate Kenya’s Foreign Policy. For a long time, Kenya pursued a Foreign policy based on fundamental principles of promotion of peaceful co-existence, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of other states and preservation of national security, peaceful settlement of disputes, non-interference in the internal affairs of other states, non-alignment, national interest and adherence to the Charters of the United Nations and African Union. Kenya has now shifted its foreign policy orientation and currently, the strategy rests on four interlinked pillars of economic diplomacy, peace diplomacy, environmental diplomacy and diaspora diplomacy.

For the Ministry to successfully affect these principles and effectively implement its core mandate and functions, a Service Charter has been developed to guide the operations of the Ministry.The Charter, which is based on the current Strategic Plan and the Foreign Policy document, sets out what the Ministry is and what it does, and records its commitment and that of its staff to provide its clients with the highest quality services that a modern Foreign Service will permit. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, like other Ministries/Departments, has developed a self assessment mechanism, the Performance Contact, to facilitate delivery of efficient and effective services within predetermined targets.

3. OUR MANDATE: To develop and implement Kenya’s Foreign Policy.

4. OUR VISION: A peaceful, united and prosperous Kenya, participating fully in a just and equitable world.

5. OUR MISSION: To pursue the interests and values of the Kenyan people, and those of Africa, through effective diplomatic engagement.

6. OUR CORE VALUE: The values that guide us in discharging our duties are: Patriotism, Team spirit, Collective Responsibity, Professionalism, Discipline, Dignity, Integrity, and Equity.

7. OUR CORE FUNCTIONS: Foreign Policy, Joint Commissions with other countries International and Regional Organizations Kenya Missions Abroad Foreign Missions in Kenya Treaties, Conventions and Immunities State and Official Visits Protocol Matters Consular MattersPeace Initiatives Pan-African Affairs Commonwealth Affairs International Jobs and Kenyans in Diaspora Foreign service Institute.

8. THE COUNTRY’S MINISTERS FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Since being established in 1963, the Ministry has had 17 Ministers. Initially, upon independence in 1963 until 1967, the Ministry's leadership was provided by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. 1968 saw the creation of a fully fledged Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the Minister for Foreign Affairs. In its history, the Ministry has had 2 Ministers for Foreign Affairs serving two different tenures- Hon. Dr. Robert J. Ouko (1979-1983; 1988-1990) and Hon. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka (1993-1998; 2003-2004). The details of persons who have served as Minister for Foreign Affairs in Kenya, are provided below:

1. Hon. Joseph Murumbi(1963)

2. Hon. Mbiyu Koinange (1963)

3. Hon. James Nyamweya (1967)

4. Hon. Argwings Kodhek (1968)

5. Hon. Dr. Njoroge Mungai (1969)

6. Hon. Dr. F.L. Munyua Waiyaki (1974)

7. Hon. Dr. Robert J. Ouko (1979)

8. Hon. Elijah Mwangale (1983)

9. Hon. Dr. Zachary Onyonka (1986)

10. Hon. Dr. Robert J. Ouko (1988)

11. Hon. Wilson Ndolo Ayah (1990)

12. Hon. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka (1993 )

13. Hon. Bonaya Godana (1998)

14. Hon. Chris Obure (2001)

15. Hon. Major (Rtd) Marsden Madoka (2001)

16. Hon. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka (2003)

17. Hon. Chirau Ali Mwakwere (2004)

18. Hon. Raphael Tuju (2004-2007)

19. Hon.Moses Masika Wetangula (Current)

9. Permanent Secretaries

1. Dr. Robert J. Ouko (1963)

2. T. C. J. Ramtu (1964)

3. John Kyalo (1967)

4. Dawson Mlamba (1970)

5. George Matheka

6. Leonard Kibinge (1974)

7. Nicholas Ng’ang’a

8. Joseph Muliro (1979)

9. Joseph Muchemi

10. Japheth G. Shamalla (1981)

11. Bethuel Kiplagat (1985)

12. Dr. Sally J. Kosgei (1991)

13. Harry Mutuma Kathurima (1998)

14. Dr. Sally J. Kosgei (1999)

15. David Andere (2001)

16. Rebecca Nabutola (2002 to 2002)

17. Amb. Peter O. Ole Nkuraiyia (2003)

18. Amb. Esther Tolle (2004)

19. Amb. Boaz Kadiga Mbaya, CBS (2005)

20. Mr. Thuita Mwangi (Current)