Management of foreign policy and diplomatic service: a critical appraisal of diplomatic training in Kenya

Abstract

This project was conceptualized to throw light in the management of the Foreign Service with specific focus to Training of Foreign Service Officers in Kenya since Independence. The thrust is intended to critically examine how effectively or otherwise training has enhanced and/ or contributed to proper management of Foreign Policy and Diplomatic service in Kenya. The study recognizes Training as a key component of management of foreign policy and diplomatic service in Kenya in order to cultivate, nurture, establish, maintain and retain Kenya's diplomatic presence and effective representation in international standing and engagements. This can only be possible with highly qualified all-round, trained Foreign Service officers posted both at home and in missions abroad to project and articulate eloquently with confidence and persuasion Kenya's strategic interests as a sovereign state. The Government of Kenya training policy has been placed on focus particularly regarding diplomatic training to serve the foreign policy of Kenya through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Training has been critically evaluated within the ministry as an in-house, on the job training as well as in academic and Foreign Service institutes and even in foreign organizations. A diplomat worth his salt, expected to handle the ever dynamic, complex and highly globalised diplomatic engagements in missions abroad and at the headquarters, must be one who has received the best training, both

theoretical and practical to prepare him for these situations on the post. This would be m the areas of Diplomacy, Protocol, Etiquette, negotiations, International law, Economic diplomacy, 10 psychology, Environment and Climate change, consular services, drafting diplomatic documents as well as information gathering and reporting. Such training must be continuous, thorough and all encompassing. The research method applied in this paper was a mix of primary interviews and secondary information with comprehensive analysis and review of critical comparative trainings and scholarly work on the subject. The study concluded that the Foreign Service of Kenya must change through long-term continuous trainings, workshops, seminars simulations and retreats that will always refresh, update, re-orient and equip the knowledge reservoirs' of the foreign service officers to be abreast, and adequately represent and manage the dynamism and complexity of the international diplomatic scene with Kenya's sovereign strategic interests and representation being Sid pro quo and the core of their mission.