In a bold move that’s sending shockwaves through East African diplomacy, former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga has pledged his support for Somaliland’s efforts to gain international recognition.
The dramatic shift came during a farewell dinner at his Karen residence for Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi on Monday, June 2. The meeting, which followed the controversial opening of a Somaliland Mission office in Nairobi, puts Raila at odds with the current government’s position.
While President William Ruto’s administration has refused to recognize Somaliland’s diplomatic presence, Raila has openly embraced its aspirations — a move likely to raise political and diplomatic tensions.
Raila Odinga’s Meeting with Somaliland President Raises Tensions
Raila Odinga’s high-profile meeting with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed has thrown a wrench into Kenya’s foreign policy stance. The encounter, revealed by President Abdirahman on Tuesday, comes just days after Somaliland defied Nairobi’s official position by opening a Mission office in the capital.
The dinner was more than just a farewell; it was a declaration of solidarity. “I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the esteemed African statesman, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, for the gracious farewell dinner hosted in my honour and that of my delegation,” Abdirahman stated.
More importantly, he thanked Raila for his “unwavering support for Somaliland’s aspiration to claim its rightful place among the community of nations.”
Raila’s move stands in direct contrast to Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which had earlier condemned the office’s inauguration. The Ministry reaffirmed Kenya’s recognition of Somalia’s territorial sovereignty, stating that the Liaison Office had no official backing from the government and could not be considered a diplomatic mission.
Despite this, Somaliland went ahead with the launch on May 29 — an event attended by Kenyan and Somaliland officials. For Raila to publicly support Somaliland so soon after this controversy may be seen as undermining President Ruto’s administration.
Somaliland President Meets Both Raila and Ruto During Kenya Visit
What makes this situation even more complex is that President Abdirahman also met with President William Ruto at State House during his visit to Kenya. While the details of that meeting remain undisclosed, it showed that top Kenyan leaders are engaging with Somaliland at the highest level — even if behind closed doors.
Unlike Raila, President Ruto has not made public any statements of support for Somaliland’s recognition. His administration, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has repeatedly reiterated its stance on supporting Somalia’s unity and territorial boundaries.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has yet to gain international recognition. It has its own currency, government, and military, but Somalia continues to claim it as part of its territory. For years, Somaliland has been pushing African nations and global powers to acknowledge its statehood.
Opening a Mission office in Nairobi is a strategic move in that campaign. It signals Somaliland’s intent to operate more visibly and assertively on the international stage.
And getting the backing of a prominent African figure like Raila Odinga — known across the continent — gives that campaign a major boost.
Kenya’s Foreign Policy Faces a Major Test
Kenya is now caught in a diplomatic tightrope. On one side is Somalia, a fragile but recognized nation that Kenya has long supported. On the other is Somaliland, an unrecognized but relatively stable region that wants to formalize its independence.
The Ruto administration has tried to walk a careful line, hosting Somali leaders while maintaining informal contact with Somaliland. But the Mission office’s opening blew the lid off that balancing act. And Raila’s open endorsement of Somaliland’s sovereignty only complicates the picture further.
For many observers, Raila’s move could be interpreted as a challenge to Ruto’s foreign policy — possibly a strategic political maneuver ahead of Kenya’s next election cycle.
By aligning with Somaliland, Raila could be trying to position himself as a Pan-African leader who supports self-determination and rejects rigid colonial-era boundaries.
On the ground, reactions are mixed. Some Kenyans see Somaliland as a legitimate state that deserves recognition, especially given its relative peace and governance. Others fear that backing Somaliland could destabilize relations with Somalia and threaten regional stability.
The question now is whether Raila’s meeting will embolden other African leaders to break with the status quo — or push Kenya into a diplomatic confrontation it is not ready for.
In the coming weeks, more eyes will be on how Kenya handles future interactions with Somaliland, particularly in the absence of a unified political voice. For now, Somaliland President Abdirahman leaves Nairobi with a symbolic but significant victory — the support of one of Africa’s most influential political figures.
