NAIROBI, Kenya- Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has assured Kenya’s diplomatic partners that the government is committed to political stability, economic resilience, regional integration and peace ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during the quarterly Diplomatic Briefing in Nairobi, Mudavadi said the August 10, 2027 election would be safe, free and peaceful.
He urged diplomatic missions and international organisations to support Kenya’s constitutional institutions and democratic processes.
“The Electoral Commission should be allowed to discharge its constitutional mandate independently and professionally,” Mudavadi said.
He said democracy depended on strong institutions, adherence to established rules and respect for constitutional processes.
According to Mudavadi, the government is strengthening coordination between state agencies to identify and respond to emerging security threats ahead of the election.
He warned that people who threaten peace and security would face legal action regardless of their political affiliation or status.
No blanket ban on foreign traders
Mudavadi also clarified the government’s position on foreign nationals operating small-scale businesses and informal retail outlets.
He said directives announced on September 2 were intended to protect vulnerable economic sectors, promote fair competition and safeguard Kenyan livelihoods.
“Kenya is not implementing a blanket ban on foreign nationals engaging in small-scale business,” he said.
Mudavadi said foreign nationals remained free to participate in small- and large-scale trade, provided they complied with immigration, work permit, registration and licensing requirements.
Their participation, he added, must conform to Kenyan law and the East African Community Common Market Protocol.
He assured diplomats that the government would protect foreign nationals and their businesses, warning that anyone who threatened or interfered with them would face the law.
Government cites economic gains
On the economy, Mudavadi said Kenya’s real gross domestic product grew by 5.3 per cent during the first quarter of 2026, compared with 4.9 per cent during the corresponding period in 2025.
He said foreign exchange reserves stood at $14.9 billion, providing 6.2 months of import cover, while the Nairobi Securities Exchange had crossed Sh4 trillion in market capitalisation for the first time.
Mudavadi encouraged diplomats to connect investors and financial institutions in their respective countries with the Kenya Development Corporation and Nairobi International Financial Centre.
He said Kenya wanted to expand value-added exports, trade, investment, technology transfer, digital economic activity and local manufacturing.
Kenya to host regional summit
Mudavadi reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to the African Union, East African Community, IGAD, ICGLR and African Continental Free Trade Area.
Kenya is preparing to host the fourth COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite Summit in Nairobi. The meeting will bring together 29 countries with a combined population exceeding 700 million and gross domestic product of more than $1.4 trillion.
On regional security, Mudavadi called for greater support for the African Union Peace Fund and adequate financing for the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia.
He said Sudan’s conflict could not be resolved militarily and called for coordinated mediation and a humanitarian truce.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary also highlighted food security and public health concerns, saying below-average rainfall in Kenya’s cereal-producing areas was expected to reduce food production.
He said the government was expanding irrigation, providing subsidised agricultural inputs and taking measures to maintain adequate food supplies.
Mudavadi added that Kenya had strengthened Ebola surveillance and passenger screening at major entry points.
He said Nairobi would host the inaugural Global Trust Summit on October 22 and 23, followed by a diplomatic conference on privileges and immunities on November 23 and 24.
