Dr. Abraham Korir Sing’oei, Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, has urged Kenyan youth to abandon the role of passive observers and instead take a leading role in shaping the country’s foreign policy, emphasizing that their active involvement is vital for Kenya’s global standing.
Speaking at a recent youth engagement event, Dr. Sing’oei stressed that the nation’s youth who constitute approximately 75 percent of the population are not merely recipients of foreign policy but should be recognized as its creators, implementers, and future custodians.
“People-centric foreign policy is critical for Kenya… Our focus now should be on placing the youth at the centre of foreign policy-making,” the PS stated, aligning the call with the global youth strategy designed to ensure young people are included in key policy processes.
The PS described genuine intergenerational dialogue as a “national asset” that enhances trust, unity, and ultimately strengthens Kenya’s global voice. He highlighted that modern diplomacy is no longer confined to traditional elite spaces, noting that young people have demonstrated a clear ability to navigate complex global dynamics through digital diplomacy and robust civic engagement.
Dr. Sing’oei pointed out that young Kenyans are already contributing valuable, research-driven diplomatic insights across several critical areas, including:
- Climate governance
- Multilateralism
- Cybersecurity
- Global justice
- Conference diplomacy
These youth insights, he confirmed, have already been integrated into Ministry initiatives, such as Foreign Policy Mashinani, a program designed to decentralize diplomatic discussions to counties, universities, innovation hubs, and civic spaces.
“We are moving from a model where youth are consulted to one where youth are co-creating policy with us,” Dr. Sing’oei noted. He added that their digital fluency and global awareness are invaluable assets in modern diplomacy, especially as the current geopolitical environment is increasingly shaped by digital narratives, social platforms, and rapid information flows.
The Ministry views young people as key drivers of Kenya’s digital diplomacy, essential to how the country will “communicate, negotiate, and build its voice on the international stage.”
The PS also acknowledged partners, such as the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), for their support in equipping young people with the necessary tools, networks, and competencies to influence global discourse effectively.
