NAIROBI, Kenya — President William Ruto has approved immediate reassignments within Kenya’s Foreign Service, affecting senior diplomatic postings in Uganda and the European Union, according to a notification issued by the Executive Office of the President.
In a press release dated Wednesday, January 21, the presidency said the changes were necessitated by vacancies arising from the completion of terms of service by serving ambassadors.
Under the new assignments, former Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has been reassigned as Kenya’s High Commissioner to Uganda, with his station based in Kampala. Meanwhile, Ambassador Joash Maangi has been redeployed as Kenya’s Ambassador to Brussels, Belgium, and the European Union.
“The changes take effect immediately,” the notice stated.
The reassignments were sanctioned through Presidential Action No. II of 2026 and communicated by Chief of Staff and Head of the Public Service Felix Koskei.
Diplomatic reassignments within the Foreign Service are governed by executive authority under the Constitution and are typically undertaken to ensure continuity, institutional renewal, and effective representation of Kenya’s interests abroad. Such postings often follow the completion of fixed ambassadorial terms, in line with public service and diplomatic norms.
Uganda remains one of Kenya’s most strategic regional partners, with deep ties in trade, security cooperation, and regional integration under the East African Community framework.
Brussels, meanwhile, is a key diplomatic station for Kenya, serving as the hub for engagement with the European Union on trade, development cooperation, and multilateral diplomacy.
The presidency said the changes were part of routine administrative actions aimed at strengthening Kenya’s diplomatic presence and ensuring effective service delivery in foreign missions.
