This archive report was first published on 12 January 2020.
Kenya's Foreign Policy: A Missed Opportunity ¶
Kenya's foreign policy has been criticized for its lack of values of democracy and justice, leading to support for dictators and human rights abuses.
According to writer and philosopher Kwame Anthony Appiah, the current foreign policy framework is based on a false assumption that races have special moral and intellectual attributes.
Appiah argues that solidarity based on race obscures divisions of class, gender, and privilege, and that African unity needs more secure foundations than race.
Kenya's post-colonial history bears out Appiah's argument, with the country standing behind dictators like Idi Amin and failing to criticize human rights abuses.
Former President Nelson Mandela is a notable exception, basing his foreign policy on justice and equity rather than racial solidarity.
Kenya's current foreign policy, led by Cabinet Secretary Monica Juma, has failed to learn from Mandela's example, instead continuing to support dictators and ignore human rights abuses.
As a result, Kenya's diplomatic influence and power are limited, and the country is seen as a force for bad in Africa and the world.
It is time for Kenya to change its foreign policy and campaign for a United Nations Security Council seat on a platform of democracy and justice.
Only then can Kenya truly become a force for good in Africa and the world.
