NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenya is preparing to permanently shut down its diplomatic mission in Bern, Switzerland, in a move the government says forms part of a broader plan to rationalise the country’s international diplomatic presence.
The embassy announced the planned closure in a notice dated Monday, November 9, informing Kenyans, clients and members of the public that its consular section would stop operating effective November 30.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei confirmed the development on Tuesday, saying the decision was part of an ongoing review of Kenya’s diplomatic footprint and the government’s strategic priorities.
“This is part of ongoing rationalisation of Kenya’s diplomatic footprint globally, involving closing some Missions and opening new ones in furtherance of our strategic priorities as a country,” Sing’Oei stated.
The announcement signals a change in Kenya’s diplomatic presence in Switzerland, where the Bern embassy has been responsible for bilateral relations and consular assistance to Kenyan nationals.
Kenyans in Switzerland Face Changes to Consular Services
The November 30 deadline means Kenyans and other clients who rely on the Bern mission will need to prepare for changes in how they access consular assistance.
In its notice, the embassy asked clients whose processed documents were ready for collection to pick them up before the end of November.
Those who submitted applications from November 1 were told they would be contacted with further instructions on collecting their documents.
The mission also indicated that additional information on future consular arrangements would be communicated through its official channels.
The closure raises questions about which Kenyan diplomatic mission will take over consular responsibilities for citizens living in Switzerland and how services such as passport processing, document authentication and emergency assistance will be handled.
Geneva Mission Remains a Separate Diplomatic Presence
The planned closure of the Bern embassy should not be confused with the shutdown of Kenya’s entire diplomatic presence in Switzerland.
Kenya also maintains a Permanent Mission in Geneva, which represents the country at the United Nations Office and other international organisations based in the Swiss city.
The Geneva mission is listed separately from the embassy in Bern in official diplomatic records.
It remains unclear from the announcement whether the Geneva mission will assume any of the consular responsibilities currently handled by the Bern embassy.
