NAIROBI, KENYA — The International Relations Society of Kenya (IRSK) has officially endorsed the proposed Foreign Service (Amendment) Bill, 2026, describing it as a timely and essential legislative intervention to enhance professionalism, meritocracy, and institutional capacity across Kenya’s diplomatic missions. IRSK urges Parliament to fast-track the tabling and debate of the Bill to ensure swift legislative progression.

Restoring Professionalism & Merit-Based Practice

The Foreign Service (Amendment) Bill, 2026 seeks to amend Section 20 of the Foreign Service Act by introducing a clear statutory ratio for diplomatic appointments. The Bill mandates that at least 70 per cent of ambassadorial and high commissioner appointments be reserved for career diplomats, capping non-career political appointees at a maximum of 30 per cent.

IRSK notes that capping political appointments and prioritizing seasoned foreign service personnel will:

• Strengthen Institutional Memory: Ensure experienced career officers lead strategic diplomatic postings and complex international negotiations.

• Promote Meritocracy: Reward professional excellence, rigorous training, and continuous service within the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs.

• Protect Foreign Policy Continuity: Safeguard Kenya's long-term national interests, regional integration agendas, and international standing from short-term political shifts.

Call for Swift Legislative Action

Highlighting the changing dynamics of global diplomacy and Africa’s position in global governance, IRSK calls on the National Assembly to prioritize the Bill's tabling and public participation phase.

*"The Foreign Service (Amendment) Bill, 2026 represents a critical milestone in professionalizing Kenya's foreign policy infrastructure. Establishing clear qualifications and institutional safeguards for diplomatic postings will position Kenya for far more effective, coherent, and impactful engagement on regional, continental, and international stages." *

Technical & Policy Support

As Kenya’s professional body for international relations and diplomacy, IRSK confirms its readiness to provide non-partisan technical and policy input to Parliamentary committees during public hearings and legislative deliberations. IRSK invites diplomats, foreign policy experts, academic institutions, and public stakeholders to actively support the proposed reform.

About the International Relations Society of Kenya (IRSK)

The International Relations Society of Kenya (IRSK) is the professional body for Kenya's international affairs and diplomacy community. Registered under the Societies Act (Cap 108), IRSK serves as a policy-neutral platform dedicated to continuous learning, capacity building, evidence-based dialogue, policy advocacy, and elevating Kenya’s foreign policy discourse.

Nairobi, 22 August – As global dynamics continue to shift rapidly, driven by technological advancements, geopolitical realignments, climate change, and economic disruptions, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) faces both unprecedented challenges and unique opportunities. In response, the annual IRSK Conference 2025 will convene from 1–3 October 2025, in Nairobi Kenya, offering a timely and interdisciplinary space for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and strategic foresight.

Jointly hosted by the COMESA, the International Relations Society of Kenya (IRSK), Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) - Kenya Office, the African Center for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) and Acacia Dialogue Center (ADC), this 3rd edition of the IRSK Annual Conference presents an exciting convergence of theory and practice in international relations and diplomacy.

Held under the theme, "Enhancing COMESA’s Strategic Positioning and Resilience in the Evolving Global Order”. The three-day conference will bring together key stakeholders, including diplomats, government officials, policymakers, scholars, business leaders, media, and civil society from the COMESA region and beyond. Through exciting blend of insightful keynotes, roundtable discussions, research presentations, book launches, workshops, and networking events, the conference will foster collaboration and facilitate knowledge sharing among participants, enabling meaningful contributions towards an empowered COMESA region, capable of navigating complex global challenges with confidence and cohesion.

We expect over 130 delegates from Kenya, Uganda, S.A, Ausralia, Zambia, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe among others. The participants will include a mix of high-level guests, seasoned experts and emerging voices in international relations and diplomacy, providing a rich tapestry of perspectives and experiences.

At the conference, participants will critically interrogate theoretical, conceptual and methodological approaches as well as instruments adopted to deal with the issues within the COMESA region and its 30 years of impact. These are to be embedded in elaborate, innovative and empirical examination in order to spur both rigorous academic and policy discourse.

The conference's outcomes shall be converted into actionable strategies and policies that will help inform more effective diplomatic approaches to addressing some of the region’s most complex
challenges.

Participants are invited to register for the IRSK Conference 2025 through our dedicated registration ticket portal: https://gig.co.ke/event/gev_1031/ticket. Early registration is encouraged to secure participation in this high-level event. In the lead-up to the conference, IRSK and its partners will collaborate with selected media outlets to ensure broad coverage and engagement. Participants are responsible for all their logistics including flights, accommodation and visa.

Media organisations interested in partnering or covering the event are encouraged to contact the conference press for further information.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Ms. Paidamwoyo Mudzimuirema
paidamwoyo@accord.org.za
ACCORD

About The Organizers.

The International Relations Society of Kenya (IRSK) is the professional body for the International Affairs and Diplomacy fields in Kenya. The Society serves as a forum for the exchange of ideas, networking, and programmatic initiatives among those involved in the study, teaching, and practice of international relations and diplomacy. IRSK works to promote policy dialogues on international affairs and diplomacy between various parties, carry out pertinent and substantial research, and engage in conversation and collaboration with various actors at national, regional, and international levels. www.irskenya.or.ke

The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) was established in 1994 to replace the former Preferential Trade Area (PTA). It is the largest Regional Economic Community with a total of 21 Member States. COMESA’s main focus is to promote economic prosperity through regional integration. Its objective also includes the promotion of peace and security in the region as espoused in Article 3(d) of the COMESA Treaty. The program on peace and security specifically focuses on governance, conflict prevention, conflict management and post-conflict reconstruction. www.comesa.int

The African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) is a civil society institution working throughout Africa since 1992 to bring creative African solutions to the challenges posed by conflict on the continent. ACCORD impacts political developments by bringing conflict resolution, dialogue, and development to the forefront as an alternative to protracted conflict. As part of its strategic objectives, ACCORD aims to generate, document, and share knowledge that positively impacts on conflict prevention, management, resolution, and transformation. www.accord.org.za

The Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) is a German political foundation committed to promoting democracy, the rule of law, social market economy, and international cooperation. Named after Germany’s first post-war Chancellor, Konrad Adenauer, the foundation operates globally as a think tank and provider of civic education. It supports political dialogue, policy research, and leadership development, with a strong focus on innovation, security, and democratic participation. www.kas.de/en/web/kenia

The Acacia Dialogue Center (ADC) is a pan-African think tank and policy advisory organisation rooted in indigenous African traditions of dialogue and community. Drawing inspiration from the symbolic Acacia tree, the Center promotes peacebuilding, climate resilience, good governance, and inclusive development. Through research, strategic partnerships, and capacity building, it supports governments and communities in addressing complex challenges across Africa with locally grounded, sustainable solutions. www.acaciadialogue.com

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