A critical analysis of the economic component of Kenya's diplomacy: 2003-2007

Abstract

This study has investigated the economic component of Kenya's diplomacy from 2003 to 2007. Diplomacy and its economic functions have been discussed and the relationship between economics and diplomacy examined. Economic diplomacy has been defined and its dual-level character, its pillars and principal actors looked at. An assessment of Kenya's diplomacy since independence has been made by looking at the themes that characterized it. The economic component of Kenya's diplomacy from 2003 - 2007 has been studied. The study has used primary and secondary data. Primary data has been obtained from interviews carried out at the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Foreign -Affairs and Investment Promotion Authority. Secondary data comes from published books, journals, government reports and articles from newspapers. The study established that economic diplomacy was an important feature of Kenya's diplomacy in 2003 to 2007 as the country used it to pursue its goals of economic recovery. The government sought to promote its relations with other countries especially in areas of trade, investment, overseas development assistance and tourism as ways of increasing its capital flows.